Depletion of oxygen stock in Assam, obey COVID norms or else situation will be critical, says HBS

August 29: On Friday, Assam, state Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna expressed anguish at the fact that the people in the state are exhibiting a careless attitude when it comes to obeying of COVID-19 protocols. He added that if the people of the state continues to lead their lives by blatantly ignoring all safety protocols, then the Government of Assam might be compelled to impose yet another lockdown. A day later, on Saturday, State Health Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterated the words of the Chief Secretary and urged upon the people to obey the COVID protocol.

The minister said that at present 433 COVID-19 patients are administered oxygen in various government and private hospitals of the state. In the month of July, 5 metric ton oxygen per day was consumed by the Covid patients in Assam. This amount largely increased in the month of August. During this month, till date, 8.25 metric ton oxygen per day has been consumed by the Covid patients in the state. He further said, “If all patients, both Covid and non-Covid in Assam are taken into account, then at present, we have a requirement of 25 metric ton of oxygen per day, whereas we produce 37.86 metric ton oxygen in the state daily. That means, till now, we have in hand around 12 metric ton oxygen daily. However, if the number of critical Covid patients goes up, then there will be acute crisis of oxygen.”

Saying so, the minister said that the health department is in touch with Jharkhand and West Bengal for import of oxygen from these two states. He, however, urged upon the people at large to wear face masks and maintain social distancing so that the disease could be contained. Highlighting the example of Silchar, the minister said, “It has come to our notice that many people at Silchar comes to hospital at the last moment when they suffer from tremendous breathlessness. This is a great risky affair. Please get tested and if you have any slight symptoms then get yourself admitted immediately.”

Responding to the query of a journalist, the minister said, “Imposition of lockdown once again will invite great difficulties for the people. This would also invite sharp criticism. So the best way to avoid lockdown is to follow COVID protocols religiously. If the number of cases comes down, there there will be no necessity of thinking towards moving ahead for another lockdown. Wear masks and maintain social distancing properly.”