Delhi coronavirus: Several hospitals have, over the past three days, flagged a crisis of oxygen supply, beds and medicines amid rising Covid cases.
Highlights
- Oxygen was to reach by 5 pm but reached around midnight: Official
- At least 215 patients are critical and in dire need of oxygen, he said
- Delhi on Friday logged 348 deaths linked to Covid, its highest in a day.
Twenty-five people died last night at the Jaipur Golden Hospital in Delhi due to shortage of medical oxygen, a top official at the hospital said today, highlighting the worsening situation in the national capital's hospitals.
"We had been allotted 3.5 metric tons of oxygen from the government. The supply was to reach us by 5 in the evening, but it reached around midnight. By then, 25 patients had died," Dr. DK Baluja, Medical Director at Jaipur Golden Hospital, told NDTV.
At least 215 Covid patients admitted at the hospital are critical and in dire need of oxygen, he added.
The hospital has now approached the Delhi High Court for help. "There is big human tragedy coming in next few minutes in our hospital. We have already lost 25 lives. We are gasping for oxygen. We have our Doctors before you. Please save lives. Please," Jaipur Golden Hospital said in its plea.
Jaipur Golden Hospital is the second hospital in the city to sent SOS over shortage of oxygen this morning.
The court has asked the Centre to strictly follow its order to provide medical oxygen to Delhi and ensure safe passage to oxygen without obstructions. "Beg, borrow or steal," said the judges, warning the centre that "all hell would break loose" if hospitals ran out of oxygen.
Last evening, Delhi logged 348 deaths linked to Covid, highest in a day so far. The city - battling with fourth Covid wave - also reported 24,331 new coronavirus cases.