Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, May 3: As news regarding the scarcity of oxygen in the Dakshina Kannada was being covered by some media channels, district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary conducted an emergency meeting along with the MLAs and the MP at the office of deputy commissioner on Monday and sought details from the officials.

Deputy commissioner Dr Rajendra K V explaining the situation said, “25 tonnes of oxygen is being supplied from Ballari and Palakkad and there is no scarcity until now. We have requested the state government to increase the quantity of supply. If the current momentum continues, there will be no problems. 430 patients under treatment are dependant on oxygen at present. More than 200 patients are in the ICU and are dependant on ventilators. Additional ventilators will be installed at Wenlock Hospital soon."

He also stated that the recent need for oxygen in the district has increased as there are people arriving from other districts.

District health and family welfare officer Dr Kishore and Wenlock Hospital superintendent, Dr Sadashiv Shanbhag explained about the new oxygen production unit and measures adopted to face the coronavirus situation in the district.

Minister Kota and MP Nalin Kumar Kateel directed the officials of the district administration to be prepared to face any eventuality.

MLAs Dr Bharath Shetty Y and Vedavyas Kamath and mayor Premananda Shetty were present.

Earlier news stating that the oxygen available in Mangaluru would only last for the next 24 hours had surfaced. The news had ended up creating an environment of panic among people.