Karnataka asks Centre for 1,500 tonnes of oxygen, one lakh vials of Remdesivir

Karnataka has requested the Centre to supply 1,500 metric tonnes of oxygen and one lakh vials of Remdesivir in view of the growing COVID cases in the State.

“We have estimated that in the next one month, we may require 1,500 metric tonnes of oxygen. In this regard, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has written to Union Minister for Railways, Commerce and Industries Piyush Goyal,” State Health Minister Dr. K Sudhakar informed reporters right here on Thursday.

Also learn: Karnataka govt. sets up war room to monitor supply of oxygen, Remdesivir

Mr. Sudhakar mentioned that he has written to the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan as effectively for provide of oxygen.

He mentioned that the State authorities had a gathering with the main oxygen turbines within the State. Of them JSW Steel is the most important one.

Also learn: Gas plants on JSW premises scale up oxygen production

“We had a meeting with Sajjan Jindal and he has assured us to supply as much oxygen required in the state,” Mr. Sudhakar mentioned.

The Minister mentioned that after the assembly, JSW metal provided 40 metric tonnes within the final two days required for Bengaluru.

Besides this, the State has demanded further supply of Remdesivir injections, which is essential for COVID therapy.

According to the minister, the State has ordered 70,000 vials of Remdesivir injection, of which 20,000 had arrived whereas the remaining could be provided within the coming days.

To a query as to why the State didn’t inventory sufficient oxygen beforehand, the Minister mentioned when the circumstances had diminished, there was no such demand and therefore there was no level in storing it. Now that the circumstances have gone up the conferences passed off to fulfill the requirement.

The minister’s assertion got here because the demand for oxygen and Remdesivir injection grew in view of the alarming rise of COVID cases, resulting in their blackmarketing as effectively.

The authorities cracked the whip and arrested a couple of who were blackmarketing Remdesivir injection. However, the scarcity endured and there was no crackdown on the blackmarketing of oxygen cylinders within the State.

The grim scenario may very well be assessed from the truth that on Wednesday alone, the state reported 23,558 contemporary COVID circumstances and 116 deaths whereas the energetic circumstances within the State has gone as much as 1.76 lakh. The energetic circumstances comprised 904 sufferers within the ICU.

Bengaluru Urban district alone contributed greater than 70% of the circumstances and fatalities, prompting Sudhakar to name Bengaluru the epicentre of COVID in Karnataka.