Covid cases are on the rise across the country. In the last 24 hours in the country on Thursday night, 2,17,353 cases were reported. Maharashtra had the highest number of cases at 61,695, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 22,339 and Delhi at 16,699. Covid cases are also increasing in Telugu states. In the last 24 hours, 3,840 cases were reported in Telangana. There are 505 cases within the GHMC. A total of 5,086 cases were reported in AP on Thursday alone. Hospitals are filling up with the influx of Covid patients in the wake of this. Nowadays, it is becoming more difficult to find beds. The situation is similar in the Telugu states as well as across the country.
In Telangana
State Health Minister Etela Rajender announced that there is a shortage of oxygen in Telangana too. Minister Etela commented in Huzur Nagar that the oxygen shortage was severe and people should not come out unless necessary. Officials say government hospitals with emergency departments in Telangana have adequate oxygen stocks for the week. According to the medical health department, all the hospitals in Telangana require 100 metric tons (B-type) of medical oxygen per day. Some large hospitals have liquid oxygen systems. Due to the small number, it seems that they have to rely on oxygen cylinders. This led to an increase in oxygen prices in the market. The price of a seven cubic meter oxygen cylinder (excluding a cylinder) has been increased from Rs 218 to Rs 450 now. However, there is talk that the minister had to make the announcement as the oxygen supply was not adequate for the current needs.
In Andhra Pradesh
As for AP, the Vizag steel plant last year supplied 120 tonnes of oxygen to various hospitals. However, in the current situation, it has decided not to give more than one hundred tons. With this, Visakha KGH is also at risk of getting into trouble. KGH, which had anticipated a shortage of oxygen, set up heavy oxygen tankers of 13 and 20 tons. Oxygen shortage has also arisen in Vijayawada hospitals. Tension began when only 40 per cent of the prescribed requirements were currently being supplied. In addition, refilling stations charge Rs 15 per litre for oxygen and Rs 20,000 per litre for oxygen. Agencies are failing to meet demand. Although the Telugu states want to import from other states, there are doubts as to how far other states will cooperate as there is a shortage across the country.
Nationwide problem
The Centre has also issued new guidelines as oxygen reserves are declining across the country. The already alert states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Rajasthan are trying to increase oxygen reserves. In this context, AP and Telangana are likely to import only from Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.
In case of emergency
As the number of cases in Maharashtra is on the rise, private companies are supplying oxygen along with departments in the central government. Reliance has moved to supply 100 tonnes of oxygen to Maharashtra from its Jamnagar plant in Gujarat. IOC also stepped forward. In addition, Union Minister Gadkari announced that 40 tonnes of oxygen would be extracted from the Visakhapatnam steel plant to control the situation in Nagpur, Maharashtra. All hospitals and private plants in the country can supply an average of 7,127 tonnes of oxygen per day. However, about 7500 tons of oxygen is currently required. In this context, the Union Ministry of Medical Health has announced that it will import 50,000 tonnes of oxygen and issue emergency permits to operate the plant for 24 hours. The Ministry of Defense has also allowed the use of Indian Air Force services for the supply of oxygen tankers to Maharashtra. Announced that it would soon be getting enough oxygen. Issued guidelines to ensure that there was no shortage of cylinders and tankers for the supply of oxygen. It said it would provide funds from PM Cares, along with quick approvals to set up emergency oxygen plants in some hospitals.
