Delhi likely to record 1400 cases today: State Health Minister

"Covid cases in Delhi have seen a sharp rise in the past few days. Many more cases have come, today it is going to be near 14,000," Jain said.

So far, Delhi's health care facilities are in a "comfortable position" as far as the availability of beds is concerned.

"Currently, the death ratio is 1 in 1,000. The situation is fine as compared to last time. Yesterday we had 9,000 free beds, today it has become 12,000, so our preparations are complete. We are now conducting close to 90,000 tests," he was quoted as saying by NDTV.

More cases are coming to light as the number of tests has been increased, he said.

"We have been conducting a large number of tests. If we don't do that, the new cases can reduce to 500-1,000. A lot of people (states) don't conduct tests and say they don't have cases. We have been transparent," he added.

"We are conducting the maximum number of tests in the country," he claimed.

Patients who do not show symptoms after seven days of isolation need not get tested as per the new guidelines, he added.

Covid cases in Delhi nearly doubled on Wednesday, jumping from 5481 to 10,665 in the biggest single-day spike since May 12.  Eight related deaths were also recorded -- the highest since June 26.

The positivity rate was 11.88 percent -- the highest since May 14.

The spike in cases is also accompanied by an increase in hospitalisations of in Delhi with 247 patients hospitalised on January 1,  increasing o 531 on January 4, according to the latest data.

In the last three days, the number of patients on oxygen support has increased from 94 to 168 and those on ventilators from four to 14.

Currently, 11,551 patients are in home isolation.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said Delhi is equipped to deal with 1 lakh cases per day in the worst-case scenario.