7 Covid patients dying every hour as Delhi faces shortage of oxygen & medicine

New Delhi: Delhi is witnessing seven deaths of Covid patients every hour with the national capital reaching a grim all time high record of 167 deaths due to Covid in last 24 hours. The city municipal corporations have started increasing the number of platforms reserved for Covid protocol funerals to cater to additional demand.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that he has spoken to Union Health Minister about the shortage of oxygen beds in Delhi. He said that Delhi is facing a shortage of oxygen, Remdesivir, and Tocilizumab, which must be made available by the Central government for adequate treatment of Corona patients. He said that the Central government has always helped Delhi in its fight against Corona and he hoped that this time too, the central government will aid Delhi. He said that the experts don’t know how many new cases would arise in the days to come and what will be the peak of Corona in Delhi, as Delhi reported 19,500 cases the day before yesterday and 24,000 cases in the last 24 hours.

Kejriwal said, "With the pace at which Corona is spreading, none of us know when it would reach its peak. As I said, there were 19,500 cases the day before yesterday and 24,000 cases yesterday; we don’t know how many new cases would arise in the days to come. Hence, we would have to vigorously prepare for any kind of situation. We can’t be laid back and must work tirelessly, 24 hours, and make the necessary arrangements so that we’re one step ahead of Corona."

"A while ago, I spoke to Union Health Minister Dr. Harshvardhan and requested him. I told him that there is now a huge shortage of beds in Delhi. In November, the central government allotted us 4100 beds. This time, they have only provided 1800 beds. Although, this wave is 3 times more fatal than the previous ones. In the previous wave, 8500 was the peak and now we’re at 24,000. There are around 10,000 beds of the central government in Delhi. Out of these, at least 50% of beds must be reserved for Corona," he said.

CM Kejriwal said, "In AIIMS, there are 11,62 beds in total. Out of these, only 23 have been reserved for Corona. In the Safdarjung hospital, there are 2,900 beds out of which only 204 have been reserved for Corona. I requested him, saying that if at least 50% of beds are reserved for Corona, an additional 3000-4000 beds could be made available for the patients. Similarly, ICU beds should also be provided. Secondly, I told him how Delhi is facing a shortage of oxygen. I was told today that private hospitals are facing more shortages. I requested him for an immediate supply of oxygen in Delhi."

"Thirdly, I told him that we are short of Remdesivir and Tocilizumab and it must be made available. We have always been helped by the central government in the fight against Corona and I hope that this time too, the central government will support Delhi," he added.

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