Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram hospital, which treats hundreds of coronavirus patients, saw the death of 25 "sickest" patients on Friday over low oxygen pressure, the hospital said on Friday.
The hospital had issued an SOS to the governments at 8 a.m., saying that only two hours of oxygen is available, and the ventilator and BiPAP are not "working effectively." At 9.20 a.m., it said that the oxygen tanker has reached as is being offloaded.
Here are the latest updates on other hospitals:
AIIMS discontinues contact tracing
Faced with a staff shortage and resource crunch, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences discontinued contact tracing of exposed healthcare workers and quarantine of asymptomatic contacts.
Only symptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) will be tested and only those testing positive will be isolated and managed as per the clinical condition.
The decisions were taken at a COVID-19 review meeting held under the chairmanship of AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria on Thursday.
Big tragedy may happen due to oxygen shortage in hospitals: Kejriwal at PM's COVID meet
Raising alarm that a "big tragedy" may happen due to oxygen shortage in hospitals during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the Centre should take over all oxygen plants through the Army.
In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the COVID-19 situation, Kejriwal requested him to direct chief ministers of all states to ensure smooth movement of oxygen tankers coming to the national capital.
"People in major pain due to oxygen shortage. We fear a big tragedy may happen due to oxygen shortage and we will never be able to forgive ourselves. I request you with folded hands to direct all CMs to ensure smooth movement of oxygen tankers coming to Delhi," he said during the meeting.
Max Healthcare stops services
Max Healthcare has stopped new admissions in all its hospitals in Delhi-NCR due to low oxygen stocks.
“We regret to inform that we are suspending any new patient admissions in all our hospitals in Delhi NCR till oxygen supplies stabilize,” Max Healthcare said in a statement.
The group has at least six hospitals in the region and a total of over 1,000 beds.
"Hospitals continue to gasp for breath despite govt orders being issued. Its now becoming an hourly challenge for many hospitals. Every minute of delay on commitments made can cost lives!!" Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals said in a tweet.
Long wait
Darmender Kumar, 33, said outside another COVID-19 testing centre that he has come for the third day and has been waiting since 5:15 am.
"The people who came after 5:30 am did not get the token for testing. People are facing a lot of difficulties, there should be some solution," Mr. Kumar, who came with his wife said.
Oxygen stock only for a "few hours": Holy Family Hospital
Holy Family Hospital in Delhi, which has 385 COVID-19 patients, has oxygen stock only for a "few hours" and situation is "precarious", said a hospital official.
According to doctors, Ideally there should be a buffer stock of oxygen for at least 48 hours in hospitals. But since the record surge in COVID-19 cases in the city, hospitals have been working with lesser stock and they are refilling almost on a daily basis, they said.
Ideally there should be a buffer stock of oxygen for at least 48 hours in hospitals, according to doctors.
But since the record surge in COVID-19 cases in the city, hospitals have been working with lesser stock and they are refilling almost on a daily basis. Most hospitals are operating with oxygen stock which would last only for 12-24 hours, officials said.