A curfew will be imposed in Delhi from tonight (April 19) until next Monday morning as the capital city recorded its highest-ever single day

New Delhi: A curfew will be imposed in Delhi from tonight (April 19) until next Monday morning as the capital city recorded its highest-ever single day increase in new Covid-19 cases and the positivity rate has reached alarming levels.

“In the last 24 hours, around 23,500 cases were reported. In last 3-4 days, around 25,000 cases have been reported. Positivity rate and infection have increased. If 25,000 patients come every day then the system will crumble, there’s a shortage of beds,” chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday, while announcing the decision.

Arvind KejriwalEssential services, food services and medical services will continue, he said. Weddings can be held with a gathering of only 50 people, for which passes will be issued separately.

On Sunday, Delhi recorded the biggest jump in its daily Covid-19 tally with 25,462 fresh cases, while the positivity rate shot up to 29.74% – meaning almost every third sample being tested in the city is turning out to be positive. A curfew had already been imposed in the state over the weekend.