Last Updated on November 24, 2020 at 12:06 pm
The Supreme Court on Monday remarked that the daily hike in COVID-19 cases in Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Assam looks serious and the states should take time to look into the matter and prepare for December.
A Bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan pointed that the situation of COVID cases is worsening and will likely to do so in the upcoming month of December.
The court directed the States to file status reports within two days on preparedness and steps taken by them to curb the spread.
Addressing Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, Justice Bhushan said that the things have worsened in the last two weeks, in November. What is their present situation regarding the pandemic and what more steps are they taking? The Court is going to look into the matter.
The court also questioned the Gujarat government for allowing celebrations, weddings and public gatherings in the State even though it is witnessing an exponential rise in cases. Justice M.R. Shah asked the Gujarat side their policy as the state is worst after Delhi and Maharashtra. The Court asked why weddings, parties, celebrations by political parties are happening?
Justice R. Subhash Reddy said that there is a huge spike in COVID cases and this is the time to introspect and prepare for the next month. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta expressed his pain at the situation in the name of humanity. He said that it was painful for him to see the court passing orders on the handling of the dead by coronavirus.
Mr. Jain said that recently, there has been an “upsurge” in the demand for ICU beds for patients in private hospitals in the capital.
He said that the state government has passed notifications to reserve 80% ICU beds for COVID-19 cases. The notification has been sent to 115 private hospitals in Delhi. He said that the decision was taken keeping in mind that many patients coming from neighbouring States.
The court asked him to provide the details of the actions taken by the government in the status report. Jain also informed the court that arrangements have been made to have 380 cremations in a single day in crematoriums attached to specific hospitals area-wise.
