Deaths in Karnataka hospital due to lack of oxygen: Died or killed? asks Opposition

A pall of gloom descended on the Chamarajanagar Government District Hospital as the grieving kin of the deceased gathered after hearing the news. They also staged a demonstration at the hospital.

Deaths in Karnataka hospital due to lack of oxygen: Died or killed? asks Opposition

Relatives grieve after COVID patients died at a govt hospital in Chamarajanagara on Monday. Pics/PTI

As many as 24 patients including 23 suffering from COVID-19 died in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar due to alleged oxygen shortage in the district hospital in the last 24 hours, officials said.

A pall of gloom descended on the Chamarajanagar Government District Hospital as the grieving kin of the deceased gathered after hearing the news. They also staged a demonstration at the hospital.

Chamarajanagar district in-charge minister S Suresh Kumar said he has ordered a death audit report from the district administration into the incident. He, however, said all deaths didn’t occur due to oxygen shortage. “These deaths had happened from Sunday morning to this morning. The oxygen shortage happened from 12.30 am to 2.30 am on Monday.” He said there is a stock of 6,000 litres of liquid medical oxygen but there was a need for cylinders. “The cylinders were supposed to come from Mysuru but there was some glitch,” Kumar added.

“I have also told the officials to find a permanent solution for the supply of oxygen in Chamarajanagar district.” The Congress mounted an attack on the ruling BJP in Karnataka and demanded the resignation of the state health minister. “Died or Killed? My heartfelt condolences to their families. How much more suffering before the ‘system’ wakes up?” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Congress’s Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, “This is murder by designed negligence of Yediyurappa Govt! The Health Minister must resign. Will CM Yediyurappa ji own moral responsibility for the deaths?” Congress Karnataka chief D K Shivakumar said the government is only interested in publicity and does not take any responsibility.

Meanwhile, the daily COVID-19 cases in India showed a slight dip at 3,68,147, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday morning. The death toll increased to 2,18,959 with 3,417 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. While the country recorded 4,01,993 new cases on May 1, it had registered 3,92,488 fresh cases on May 2.

Incorrect: Govt on news of no new vax purchase order

The Union health ministry on Monday said media reports alleging that the Centre has not placed any fresh order for COVID-19 vaccines are “incorrect”. “The news reports suggest that the last order [of 120 million doses’ placed with the two vaccine makers was in March 2021. These media reports are completely incorrect, and are not based on facts,” the ministry said.

1,99,25,604
Total no. of coronavirus cases in India so far

2,18,959
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far

1,62,93,003
Total no. of patients Recovered and discharged in India so far

15,71,98,207
(Total no. of people vaccinated so far)

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels