This archive report was first published on 4 January 2022.
India's capital Delhi is bracing for a fresh wave of Covid-19 infections, with the city imposing a weekend lockdown from Friday night to Monday morning.
According to reports, the lockdown is aimed at stemming the spread of the Omicron variant, which has contributed to a surge in coronavirus cases in the city.
Delhi's chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, announced on Tuesday that he had tested positive for Covid-19 and was experiencing mild symptoms. He has since isolated himself at home and urged those who had been in contact with him in the past few days to get tested.
Kejriwal's diagnosis comes as the city struggles to contain the spread of the virus. The city's deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia, has assured the public that the government is fully prepared to fight any Covid situation.
India's healthcare system was severely strained last year, with over 200,000 people dying across the country after a wave of Delta variant infections. The country's total Covid-19 death toll stands at 481,000, making it the third-highest in the world behind the United States and Brazil.
However, under-reporting is widespread, and some studies have estimated that the actual toll could be up to 10 times higher.
