As the national capital continues to report a record number of Covid-19 cases, the centre and the AAP government have decided to make a fresh start to contain the spread of the outbreak.

On Sunday evening, home minister Amit Shah held a meeting with chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, where several decisions were taken to restrict the pandemic. These were based on a presentation made by NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul.

The main points of the Containment Strategy outlined in the presentation are:
 
• Revised demarcation of containment zones and a strict monitoring and control of activities in such containment zones.

• Contact tracing and quarantining of contacts of all infected persons, with the help of Aarogya Setu and Itihas App.

• Listing and monitoring of each household even outside containment zones, which will help in getting comprehensive information about Delhi.

• Keep the Covid-19 positive cases in hospitals, Covid care centres or home isolation. Proper functioning of Covid care centres and taking the help of voluntary organizations/NGOs in this regard.

A serological survey will be conducted across the capital from June 27 to July 10, in which sample testing will be conducted of 20,000 persons. This will help in comprehensive assessment of the spread of infection in Delhi and will help draw up a comprehensive strategy.

As per the plan proposed by Dr Paul, every district in Delhi will be linked to a major hospital, which will provide adequate help.

The proposed report also includes a timeline for all these activities based on which the Delhi government will finalise a plan by June 22, will constitute district-level teams by June 23, will issue revised demarcation of all containment zones by June 26, hundred percent survey of containment zones will be carried out by June 30 and a comprehensive survey of the rest of Delhi will be done by July 6.

Shah also directed the Delhi government to conduct assessment in respect of every dead individual as regards how many days before death the person was brought to hospital and from where. A special focus has to be given about whether the person was in home isolation and whether the person was brought to hospital at the right time or not. The Delhi government has been asked to report every death to the centre.

The home minister also said that all Covid-19 positive cases should be first referred to Covid centres and those who have adequate facilities at home and do not suffer from other co-morbidities, can be allowed to stay in home isolation. The centre will have to be informed of the number of people kept in home isolation.

Shah also advised that Delhi government officials should take technical help for the revised demarcation of containment zones.

Delhi has recorded a total of 56,746 infections so far, with 3,137 cases in the 24 hours to Sunday evening. The number of new cases has seen a spike since Unlock from June 1, and a third of all infections so far have come up in the last week or so.