Kejriwal Says Won't Stop Clinical Trials of Plasma Therapy to Treat Coronavirus Patients as Results are Good

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the Delhi government will not stop clinical trials of plasma therapy to treat severally-ill COVID-19 patients as its initial results are good.

The announcement came days after the centre said that plasma therapy for treatment of coronavirus patients is at an experimental stage and it has the potential to cause life-threatening complications.

Addressing an online media briefing, Kejriwal said a COVID-19 patient, whose condition was serious, has been discharged from hospital after undergoing plasma therapy and that the Delhi government has got permission from the centre to conduct trials at LNJP Hospital.

He also said that the number of coronavirus cases in the national capital is high due to large scale testing being carried out by the Delhi government.

There was confusion over plasma therapy after the centre's statement, he said, adding that he got phone calls enquiring whether Delhi government will stop its trials.

"We are not going to stop clinical trials of plasma therapy. We are getting good results of the therapy. However, it is on trial basis. The results of this therapy are not final yet. We hope that we will soon find a solution," Kejriwal said.

The central government has said that those who have its permission to conduct plasma therapy trials can go ahead but others, who don't have the necessary permission, should not do it, the chief minister said.

He appealed to 1,100 people, who have recovered from the novel coronavirus, to donate their plasma to save lives.

"I am happy that almost all of those recovered from COVID-19 are ready to donate their plasma. I want to thank all of them," he said.

Delhi detailed 3,515 COVID-19 cases till Thursday night of which, 1,100 individuals have been released medical clinics and there are as of



now 2,362 dynamic cases, while 59 individuals have kicked the bucket up until this point, he said. 

"At the point when we see this number, it appears that cases are quickly expanding in Delhi. It is occurring on the grounds that we are leading tests for an enormous scope in Delhi, he said. 

We are directing 2,300 tests for each 1 million individuals in Delhi while the figure is around 500 tests for every 1 million in nation," he included. 

Kejriwal said that the legislature is recognizing greater control zones, yet the number has been diminishing in the course of the most recent couple of days. 

To bring back understudies from Delhi who are abandoned in Rajasthan's Kota - the training center point for building and clinical wannabes, the Delhi government is sending 40 transports, the central priest said. 

"I was getting numerous solicitations from understudies abandoned in Kota and their folks. We are sending 40 transports today (Friday) to Kota to bring them back. By tomorrow (Saturday), they will come back to Delhi," he said.

The students will have to go into self-quarantine for 14 days upon returning to Delhi, he said.

The chief minister said that his government is in talks with other states on the movement of migrant workers and will soon come out with a detailed plan.

He appealed to migrant workers to stay put and follow lockdown till the time a proper plan is executed.

Kejriwal further announced that free ration being provided to the needy in Delhi will be doubled to 10 kilograms and a kit containing items of daily use like soap, salt and oil will also be distributed to them.

Kejriwal, who is also the Aam Aadmi Party national convener, asked party workers to serve the people and show their patriotism towards the country.