Oxygen Demand in Nigeria’s Biggest City Jumps as Covid-19 Spikes

(Bloomberg) -- The number of coronavirus patients needing oxygen to survive has risen fivefold as a second wave of the pandemic hit Lagos, Nigeria’s biggest city and commercial hub.

The demand for oxygen has risen from 70 six-litre cylinders per day to 350 six-litre cylinders in our Yaba Mainland Hospital, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of the state said Tuesday in an emailed statement. “This is projected to more than double to 750 six-cylinders, before the end of January 2021,” he said.

The rise in cases in recent weeks has forced the state to reopen previously closed isolation centers where the illness is treated. All malaria symptoms should now be first treated as a case of Covid-19 “unless and until proven not to be one,” the governor urged.

The state has opened discussions with vaccine manufacturers, according to the statement.

“In the meantime we are developing a strategy that will articulate the criteria, guidelines and regulatory framework for providing and monitoring vaccinations in Lagos,” the governor added.

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