COVID-19 in Delhi: Many people contributing to rise in cases violated safety, social distancing norms, say experts
Delhi recorded 2,024 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, the highest single-day spike in cases in August, taking the tally to over 1.73 lakh, while the death toll rose to 4,426 with 22 more fatalities

- Aug 31, 2020,
- Updated Aug 31, 2020 1:00 PM IST
Medical experts have flagged that many people not wearing masks and violating social distancing norms have contributed to the sudden spurt in novel coronavirus cases in Delhi in the past few days, cautioning that the situation should still be treated as a "health emergency". From doctors at leading hospitals to officials of nationwide testing labs, all concurred that a "sudden degree of complacency" has crept in the psyche of the masses, especially the youth, who feel that "all is back to normal" since lockdown has eased.
"We are seeing the younger population mostly starting to go out, posting pictures on social media about sitting at a cafe or a restaurant, which is quite a dangerous trend," Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH) Director B L Sherwal told PTI. "This sends out a wrong message to other people that things are okay now as economy is also slowly reopening," Sherwal said.
The RGSSH is one of the major dedicated COVID-19 facilities run by the Delhi government. "A large number of people going out of their homes, either not wearing a mask or wearing it only on their chin. That can immediately spread infection and that is one of the reasons we seeing a spike in cases in the last several days," Sherwal said, adding that they "should not lower their guard".
Medical experts in Delhi also flagged the spread of COVID-19 cases to semi-urban areas and villages on the outskirts of Delhi. "A pandemic that has originated from outside generally follows this trajectory, from foreign countries to another country, then to bigger cities, and from urban areas to rural areas," Sherwal said. Dr Lal Path Labs executive chairman Arvind Lal cautioned that people should not go out unless extremely necessary, as "they may catch infection from asymptomatic ones". "We are still living in a health emergency, we should not forget that," Lal said.
Medical experts have flagged that many people not wearing masks and violating social distancing norms have contributed to the sudden spurt in novel coronavirus cases in Delhi in the past few days, cautioning that the situation should still be treated as a "health emergency". From doctors at leading hospitals to officials of nationwide testing labs, all concurred that a "sudden degree of complacency" has crept in the psyche of the masses, especially the youth, who feel that "all is back to normal" since lockdown has eased.
"We are seeing the younger population mostly starting to go out, posting pictures on social media about sitting at a cafe or a restaurant, which is quite a dangerous trend," Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH) Director B L Sherwal told PTI. "This sends out a wrong message to other people that things are okay now as economy is also slowly reopening," Sherwal said.
The RGSSH is one of the major dedicated COVID-19 facilities run by the Delhi government. "A large number of people going out of their homes, either not wearing a mask or wearing it only on their chin. That can immediately spread infection and that is one of the reasons we seeing a spike in cases in the last several days," Sherwal said, adding that they "should not lower their guard".
Medical experts in Delhi also flagged the spread of COVID-19 cases to semi-urban areas and villages on the outskirts of Delhi. "A pandemic that has originated from outside generally follows this trajectory, from foreign countries to another country, then to bigger cities, and from urban areas to rural areas," Sherwal said. Dr Lal Path Labs executive chairman Arvind Lal cautioned that people should not go out unless extremely necessary, as "they may catch infection from asymptomatic ones". "We are still living in a health emergency, we should not forget that," Lal said.