JAIPUR: The state recorded 3,093 Covid-19 infections on Friday taking the total tally in the state to 2,60,040 cases. The active caseload swelled to 28,183 with over 3,000 cases added this week in Jaipur alone. Both Jaipur and Jodhpur continue to lead in the daily chart with 643 and 531 cases respectively in the last 24 hours.
Next in the line is Ajmer, which is registering an average of 300 cases since past five-six days and added 290 cases in its tally on Friday. The death toll is also increasing steadily in the last 20 days with 18 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours, with the highest 4 in Ajmer.
The sudden spike in local cases along with referrals from across the state, have created a shortage of ICU beds in private hospitals in Jaipur. The free intrastate and interstate movement has resulted in a rise in critical Covid patients who have come for better treatment in Jaipur. Retired army personnel, Sajjan Kumar (60), a resident of Jhunjhunu died due to the virus on November 25 in want of proper care in Jaipur. His family ran from pillar to the post in search of a bed in private hospitals for two days before they admitted him to a hospital on the outskirts.
“We were forced to admit my uncle in the hospital knowing the fact that it doesn’t have the capacity to handle patients down with the infection and multiple complications. He battled for four days before he died due to multiple organ failure,” said Mukesh Chaudhary, nephew of the deceased.
In view of the situation, chief minister Ashok Gehlot has directed private hospitals to create more beds for Covid patients and dedicate extra space for them. Also, the state has made elaborate arrangements for oxygen cylinders in hospitals.
The officials have claimed that they have expanded the supply of oxygen cylinders to meet any rise in requirements.
Notably, health minister Raghu Sharma had said that state is likely to experience a peak in cases in December. Meanwhile, the state has said for no relaxation in the night curfews in eight districts until the marriage season ending on December 11. “In case the situation in any district sees a surge, the state will impose a curfew to control the situation,” said an official.