COVID-19 pandemic in Delhi

• The first case of coronavirus at Delhi was confirmed on 2 March when a 45 years old person[11] from East Delhi, with a history of travel from Italy,[12] has been tested to be positive for COVID-19. Total 92 contacts of Delhi index case have been traced. Out of these 92 contacts 14 belong to Delhi and rest 74 contacts have been cross notified to respective states. Out of 14 contacts two were symptomatic and found negative for COVID-19.[12]
• After two days without new cases, on 5 March, the second person a 26-year-old Paytm employee from Uttam Nagar, West Delhi having history of travel to Italy and France, who had arrived at Delhi on 26 February tested positive.[13] His all (Four) family members are also asymptomatic, put under home quarantine and their samples have been taken. Contact tracing of the person at his office was done and a list of 91 employees was received out of which 18 contacts of Delhi have been shared with district teams for surveillance. 1 contact each from Faridabad and Noida and remaining 71 are from Gurugram. Information has been sent to their respective District surveillance officers.[13]
• On 6 March 3 positive case reported from Uttam Nagar. There are 8 members in family, including him.[14] Samples of all family members have been collected. The details of contact tracing, of case no 1 to 3. Case no 1 -Total no of contact traced 105 til date. His contact from Delhi and outside are 41 and 64 respectively. Number of sample sent based on risk stratification 19, all had been in home quarantine. Case no 2 - Total no of contact traced 95. Contact from Delhi 22 and outside 73, 93 at home, 2 at hospital. Number of sample sent based on risk stratification 4. Case no 3-Total no of contact traced 11. Contact from Delhi 11 and all at home. Number of sample sent based on risk stratification 11.[14]
• On 9 March 4 positive case reported. 76 Contact traced who are from Delhi and in home quarantine.[15]
• On 11 March 5 th case of Delhi, reported today from Janakpuri, a 46 yrs male, having history of travel to Japan, Geneva and Italy.[16] He is admitted at RML hospital. There are 9 members in his family, all are asymptomatic except his mother. Surveillance of nearby 50 houses has been done.[17]
• On 12 March 6th Case of Delhi, reported from Janakpuri, a 69 yrs female, having history of contact with 5th case(Mother). She is admitted in RML hospital. There are 9 members in her family, as per report provided by RML Hospital the condition of the patient is unstable and rest of the family members are asymptomatic.[18]
• On 14 March as per MOHFW, report case no 6, mother of case 5 expired on 13 March. The death was due to comorbidity (diabetes and hypertension)[16] with COVID-19 and she was second victim in India, due to this virus.[19] 7 th case reported positive on 13 March, isolated at Safdarjung Hospital. He is a resident of Rajasthan and an evacuee from Italy who was quarantined at Manesar Camp.[20]

The Tablighi Jamaat wanted to arrange the program somewhere in Vasai, Maharashtra. After the outbreak of COVID-19 in Maharashtra, the Government of Maharashtra and Mumbai Police called off the meeting. After the rejection from the Government of Maharashtra, the Nizamuddin faction of the Tablighi Jamaat held the religious congregational program (Ijtema) in Nizamuddin West, Delhi.[22][23][24] The Delhi Government's order of 13 March that no seminars, conferences or any big event (beyond 200 people) are to be held was apparently ignored by the organisation, and the Delhi Police also failed to enforce it.[25][26] There were also other violation of rules by foreign speakers including misuse of tourist visa for missionary activities and not taking 14-day home quarantine for travellers from abroad.[27]

At least 24 of the attendees had tested positive for the virus among the 300 who showed symptoms by 31 March 2020.[28] It is believed that the sources of infection were preachers from Indonesia.[29] Many had returned to their states and also provided refuge to foreign speakers without the knowledge of local governments.[30] and eventually started local transmissions especially in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir and Assam. The entire Nizamuddin West area has been cordoned off by the Police as of 30 March, and medical camps have been set up.[31] After evacuation from the markaz, of the scores of jamaat attendees, 167 of them were quarantined in a railway facility in south east Delhi amid concerns over their safety and transmission of the virus. The Tablighi Jamaat gathering emerged as one of India's major coronavirus hotspots in India,[32] after 1445 out of 4067 cases were linked to attendees according to the Health Ministry.[33][34] On 18 April 2020, Central Government said that 4,291 cases (or 29.8% Of the total 14,378 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in India) were linked to the Tablighi Jamaat, and these cases were spread across 23 states and Union Territories.[35]

Questions have been raised as to how the Delhi Police allowed this event to proceed in the midst of a pandemic,[36] while a similar event was prohibited in Mumbai by the Maharashtra Police.[37] Once the COVID lockdown came into effect in Delhi from 22 March onwards, the missionaries remaining in the Nizamuddin Markaz were trapped, and the functionaries began to seek assistance from the authorities for their evacuation.[38] As of 4 April, more than 1000 cases, representing 30% all confimed cases in India, were linked to the Nizamuddin event. Some 22,000 people that came in contact with the Tablighi Jamaat missionaries had to be quarantined.[39] On 31 March 2020, an FIR was filed against Muhammad Saad Kandhlawi and others by Delhi Police Crime Branch under Section 3 (penalty for offence) of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and Sections 269 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease), 271 (disobedience to quarantine rule) and 120b (punishment of criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.[40][41][42] On 8 April 2020, the Delhi Police traced Tablighi Jamaat leader Maulana Saad Kandhalvi in Zakirnagar in South-East Delhi, where he claimed to be under self-quarantine.[43] Many other members of the missionary group have also been booked for allegedly helping spread the disease, including by hiding in mosques, a police official claimed. However, the Government of India has denied that it is singling out Muslims.[44]

Day before Janata curfew mask distribution in front of B block Connaught place on 21 March 2020

One day before Janata curfew almost empty Connaught Place on 21 March 2020

On 12 March, the Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal declared COVID-19 an epidemic in Delhi. This made the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 applicable to the territory. Schools, colleges and cinema halls were ordered to be closed until 31 March. Other public places including offices and shopping malls were to be compulsorily disinfected. Kejriwal advised people to stay away from public gatherings.[45][46]

On 13 March, the Indian Premier League matches were banned in Delhi, as were all sports gatherings. Conferences and seminars beyond 200 people were also banned. The deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia invoked the example of the religious superspreader in South Korea, and said that the Delhi government was determined to prevent such incidents.[47]

On 16 March, the ban was strengthened to all gatherings over 50 people, including those for religious, social, cultural, political, academic, sports etc. reasons.[48]

On 19 March, it was strengthened to gatherings over 20 people and, on 21 March, to those over 5 people.[49][50]

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that from 23 to 31 March 2020, all domestic/international flights arriving to Delhi would be suspended.[51]

During lockdown empty New Delhi railway station main gate on 7 April 2020

During lockdown empty Paharganj main bazar on 7 April 2020

• 22 March

• CM Kejriwal had announced lockdown from 23 March 6 a.m. to 31 March midnight. Except essential services every services had been closed due to COVID-19 pandemic. Borders had been sealed except for transportation of essential services.[52]

• 24 March

• Lockdown further extended till 14 April 2020 after PM Narendra Modi announced a complete nationwide lockdown, starting from midnight of 24 March 2020 for 21 days.[53]

• 14 April

• Modi extended lockdown till 3 May 2020[54] after recommendation from several state governments.[55]

• 19 April

• CM Kejriwal announced that keeping in mind the current situation of Delhi, there will be no exemption in ongoing lockdown till next week.[56]

• 28 April

• Delhi Government had given some relaxation during lockdown period, in following services such as Health care, Inter and intra state movement for health care staff including by air if necessary, shelter homes (for senior citizens, destitute, women, specially abled), services by self employed person for household need like electrician, plumber etc, shops for electric fan and school books. All these relaxation for the areas which is not declared as containment zone.[57]

• 4 May

• Ministry of home affairs announced the extension of lockdown from 4 May 2020 til 17 May 2020 at Delhi and declared all districts as red zone. Government and private offices will operate with 33% manpower but strength of Government officers up to Deputy Secretary level will be 100%. Standalone liquor shops having L6 and L8 licences and tobacco products shops will be open from 4 May.[58] Industrial activities in special economic zones, industrial estates and townships, all manufacturing units of essential goods, standalone shops in neighborhood will remain open.[58]

• 18 May

• Central Government extended lockdown til 31 May 2020. According to new guideline Sports complexes and stadium will open for matches without spectator. Doctors, paramedics and nursing staff will have permission to cross the border without hassle since there was some issue in Haryana border.[59] A nationwide curfew from 7 PM to & AM.[59]

• 1 June

• Lockdown 5 or unlock phase 1 started and CM Delhi announced that Delhi border had been sealed for one week except for the persons have permissions for essential services.[60] Shops will remain open every day no restrictions of odd even day. Barabar shop/salon have permission to reopen except spa. Central Government eased Nation wide curfew now its from 9 PM to 5 AM which has exemption for the persons involved in essential services.[60] Restriction of two passengers in a car with driver, scooter without pillion rider had been removed by both the Central and State Government.[60]

Delhi government had initiated a disinfection drive in Delhi from 13 April 2020[61]

• 4 April: CM Kejriwal announced that people who don't have ration card can avail free ration from fair price shops.[62]
• 5 April: Out of 71 lakh ration card holders in Delhi, it was reported that 60% had received ration.[63] As per the government till 5 April, 50,000 to 60,000 people who do not have ration cards, have applied for coupons to avail 5 kg of wheat, rice and sugar as free of cost.[63] Some people complained about distribution, in a video conference with area MLAs including other party. Kejriwal requested that they should reach out to people in distress and help them register to avail ration.[63] The Delhi government started issuing e-coupons to those without ration cards as well.[64]
• 21 April, since 38 lakh people who don't have ration card applied for ration, Govt will provide free ration to 31 lakh people. Delhi CM conveyed that Govt is providing half of the total population of Delhi free ration.[65]
• On 23 March, the CM of Delhi had announced that 4 lakh people will get free food in Delhi from 24 March.[66]
• On 4 April, the Delhi Government had initiated to provide free food for 6.5 lakh people including distress migrant workers who are jobless in current lockdown. To provide food across the all areas of Delhi, to maintain physical distance, hygiene and sanitation, Govt. had converted night shelters and schools into free food distribution centers.[67]

On 21 April, as conveyed by CM Delhi, each MP, MLA of Delhi will get 2000 food coupon for their constituency to distribute to poor who don't have any documents like ration card or Adhar card.[68]

As one time financial help, Delhi govt had announced to support affected transport service provider like Auto, E-Rickshaw, Rural transport Vehicle and Gramin seva of Delhi Rs 5,000/- each to their bank account who will apply with their current driving licence of Para-Transit vehicles and valid badge[69][70]

Delhi CM had announced a financial support of Rs 1 crore for the family of any deceased health staff who had died while dealing with coronavirus cases in Delhi.[71] He had mentioned them as "not less than warrior" and this support as tribute to their noble service.[71]

On 12 May, PM had announced combined stimulus package of Rs 20 lakh crore to restore economical condition of India due to COVID-19 pandemic, which is as per UN economic expert is "impressive" and largest package among developing countries.[72]

As per some leading media outlets in India ,Delhi Government may have hidden many of the deaths. The central government run Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and AIIMS have accused the present state government of not showing the true figures. The death toll as per some estimates could run well into 900+ [73] [74]

Delhi launched delhifightscorona.in, a website dedicated to Covid-19 related information. The website has details on containment zones and hotspots, testing facilities, key locations, e-pass procurement and relevant FAQs.[75] It also includes locations of all grocery shops in Delhi, temporary relief centres and hunger relief centres.[75]

RWAs undertook regular sanitazation drives with the help of the civic bodies, ensured social distancing, distributed masks and reined in those who were repeatedly violating norms.[76]

Delhi government issued an order for asymptomatic patients making seven days’ home isolation mandatory for all asymptomatic individuals arriving in the city via planes and trains.[78] For symptomatic individuals, immediate Covid testing on arrival, institutional quarantining till the result is out, moving to a hospital or a Covid Care Centre depending on symptoms if positive, and home isolation for 14 days in case of a negative result.[78]

On 13 April, in Delhi 14,036, COVID-19 testing had been done in which positive cases are 1,154 in total and percentage wise its 8.22%. Population of Delhi is 201,78,879 (20 million plus) falls under category of the states having population 11 to 37 million and till 13 April 2020, 696 test/million had been conducted in Delhi which is second highest after Kerala in this category.[79]

On 21 April, the Delhi Govt. announced free COVID-19 test for media persons in Delhi after the incident of some journalists in Mumbai tested positive.[80]

As of 23 June, in Delhi 401,648 COVID-19 testing had been done in which positive cases are 66,602[81]

Testing Statistics

• 13 April, ICMR requested researcher to give clinical trial on critically ill patient of COVID-19 using convalescent plasma therapy.[83]
• 15 April, after a meeting Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Anil Baijal had declared Delhi may use plasma technique to combat COVID-19. He mentioned that it will be on trial basis with proper guideline.[83]
• 20 April, a 49 year old, critically ill patient of COVID-19 who was on ventilator support is out from ventilator after receiving plasma therapy. This is the first successful trial of plasma therapy in India.[84]
• 24 April, as per feedback of CM Delhi, plasma therapy have been tried on 4 patients in LNJP hospital, all of them had responded positively. Two of them might get released from hospital very shortly. Delhi Government seeking permission from Central Government to apply same therapy to all serious patients.[85]
• June 3 the Delhi Health Department ordered three hospitals in the national capital to provide 10 per cent of their beds to COVID-19 patients of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) free of cost.[86]

• Rest of the deaths reported from other hospitals

Visuals of the impact of lockdown on various businesses

Stranded auto rickshaw & closed shops

Closed travel agencies, restaurants and hotels

As of 6 March 2020 all primary schools were closed by Delhi Govt till 31 March 2020.[88] On the same day in fear of COVID-19, Fashion Design Council of India had postpone their show till further notice.[89] The 2020 ISSF World Cup has been postponed which was scheduled to be held in May 2020.[90] On 14 March 2020 Badminton World Federation (BWF) had also postpone their all tournaments due to same reason.[91]

On 19 March, Arvind Kejriwal announced that all restaurants will be closed till 31 March in view of the ever increasing case of coronavirus. He said that there will be a take away system from restaurants without any eating facilities in the venue. He also said that 20 or more people will not be allowed to unite anywhere in the state.[92] All shops, industries, commercial establishments, offices shall be closed.[51] National Commission for Protection of Child Rights appealed to organisation not to feed children on road since they are more vulnerable to virus because of their poor nutrition levels and need shelter, health care with the food. They requested to send them to nearest shelter.[93]

Impact on people during unlock phase 1

People are carrying blankets at New Delhi railway station due to no supply of blankets in AC coach in Indian railways

Impact of unlock phase 1 at New Delhi railway station

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai visiting evacuees at the Coronavirus Quarantine Centre, after completion of their requisite quarantine period, at the ITBP Chhawla Centre, in New Delhi on 13 March 2020.

• 26 March, Delhi Government had started declaring hotspot area starting from few places of Dilshad garden.[94]
• 14 April after adding eight new hotspots, now total hotspot numbers are 55 in Delhi.[95]
• 15 April after adding two more places, total hotspot numbers are 57.[96]
• 19 April now there are total 77 containment zones and all 11 districts of Delhi are declared as hotspots as conveyed by Delhi CM[56]
• 21 April the number of containment zones rises to 87 [97]
• 28 April after adding two more places, total containment zones rises to 100.[94]

The Delhi Government announced operation SHIELD in order to curb the spread of the virus in the containment zones or the hotspots. It is a six layers plan,[98] where

• S refers to sealing the immediate area,
• H refers to home quarantine to all people living in the area,
• I refers to isolation and contact tracing of people,
• E refers to essential supply of commodities,
• L refers to local sanitization and
• D refers to door to door health check of people in the area.

The first success of the operation came from Dilshad Garden, an area where the virus was widely spread. The Delhi Government announced on 10 April, that the operation SHIELD was successful in containing the spread of the virus in this area. The state Health Minister, Satyendra Jain said that the area was virus-free after the implementation of the six layer operation.[99] On 17 April, Deputy CM of Delhi, Manish Sisodia announced that the operation was also successful in two other hotspots, Vasundhara Enclave and Khichripur.[100]

• COVID-19 pandemic in India
• COVID-19 lockdown in India

• Govt site link for bed availability