Covid-19: Oxygen cylinder, not refrigerator is the new normal buy in Navi Mumbai

NAVI MUMBAI: While NMMC and Panvel civic bodies look at having more oxygen beds in view of positive cases increasing, oxygen cylinders to portable cans are much in demand by households.
And yes, these are the days of home quarantine, too (asymptotic patients with space at home).
A vendor in Vashi has stopped supplying the cylinders on rent because "the rise in demand and refill would clog the space at the outlet. Cylinders are being sold in the city instead."
A mega housing society in Kharghar has purchased oxygen cans of 6 litre, that costs just Rs 650 but can save life during emergency. Secretary of Spaghetti cooperative housing society, Yashwant Deshpande said, "our society had five positive cases. They have returned from hospital after getting cured. We have purchased 10 cans for future requirements. A can when not opened can stay good for two years ; once opened has to be used the same day."
The Cidco society with over 400 flats is among several others, while families have also opted to buy and keep cylinders as the trend is towards cases increasing.
A pharmacy owner, Prashant Patil had to frantically look for a cylinder recently, when he got a distress call from a family. "The elderly father of the caller was having breathing problem. Luckily I managed a cylinder although it was late evening," Prashant recounted.
Jumbo cylinders are out of stock too. A medium sized cylinder, with 1.3 cubic meter oxygen costs Rs 10550, the vendor said. Suppliers from outside the city also book orders. Several vendors can be sourced from Google, said residents. A supplier based in a district away from the city said , "cylinders with 270 litre oxygen costs Rs 9,000. Delivery can be done in two-three days , and refill can be done from local hospitals. It is not a problem."