Shah Rukh Khan donates 500 Remdesivir injections for COVID patients; Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain thanks actor

2020 has been a tough year for citizens across the globe. With millions losing lives since the time the coronavirus pandemic hit the human race, any help in terms of donation of PPE kits, government-approved injections or medications have been welcomed by authorities that are working day and night to bring down the count of infected people.

Amid the efforts by one and all, actor Shah Rukh Khan, who is known to have extended a helping hand in this difficult time of COVID-19 pandemic (he earlier donated 2,000 PPE kits to COVID-19 frontline health workers in Chhattisgarh) and for various causes in the past too, donated 500 Remdesivir injections for COVID-19 patients in Delhi.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday took to his Twitter handle to thank the superstar for his gesture and wrote, "We are extremely thankful to Sh. @iamsrk and @MeerFoundation for donating 500 Remdesivir injections at a time when it was needed the most. We are much obliged for the support extended by you during the time of crisis (sic)."

For the unversed, the Ministry of Health has allowed the use of Remdesivir for restricted emergency purposes.

Meanwhile, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday said that the third wave of COVID-19 is on the verge of being finished in Delhi.

While addressing a press meet, Jain said, "The death rate of COVID will decrease slowly. The shortage of ICU beds will be addressed soon. ICU beds are used for emergency purposes and also for COVID patients. In Delhi, 13,000 beds are lying vacant. Delhi is the largest state with so many vacant beds. We have 18,800 beds in hospitals in total."

"During the last seven days, Delhi has reported less than 5 pc positivity rate. The positivity rate of RT-PCR tests is also lower. Delhi has registered a downfall of about 80% positive cases. There were speculations that pollution and pandemic might increase the positivity rate. Thankfully, such is not the case. "

Taking about the vaccine trials, he said, "No vaccine has been approved by the central government yet. As per guidelines, healthcare and frontline workers will be vaccinated first. Delhi people need not be worried as Delhi government is well-equipped. We have also got some cold storage facility for vaccines as well."

As many as 2,463 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the national capital in the last 24 hours, according to Delhi state health bulletin, on Wednesday.