The Delhi government will bear the cost of educating and bringing up children who have lost both their parents to COVID-19, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday.
Over the past month, children welfare bodies and helplines have come across several cases where children have been left orphaned. In many other cases, the earning member of the family has died.
Addressing a webcast, Kejriwal said, “We have seen very painful days recently. Many families saw more than one death. Many children lost both parents. I want to tell them that I understand their pain and am standing in support. Every child who has lost their parents will be educated. The cost of their education and upbringing will be borne by the government. I ask neighbours and families to take care of them too. There are parents who have lost children, and families who have lost their earning member. We will take care of them.”
On Friday, around 8,500 cases have been recorded in Delhi, Kejriwal said. This is the first time since April 10 that the case count has dipped below 10,000. Delhi saw over 28,000 cases on April 20.
The positivity rate on Friday also dropped to 12%, the lowest in a month.
Surjitt Sahani
