Health Department Cripples as States Report Shortage of Beds and Oxygen; PM-CARES Fund Released

New Delhi: States across the country grapple with a shortage of beds and oxygen as the country continues to record cases above 2 lakhs. As per the hospital records around 1,182 citizens lost their lives taking the death toll to 1,74,335. Around 1,17,897 recuperated after hospitalization. With 2,16,828 fresh cases recorded 15,63,702 are active and are being treated as per severity. 

Maharashtra recorded 61,695 cases along with 349 deaths taking the death toll to 59,153. States like Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh report a significant rise. 

Kerala has decided to conduct a mass testing drive for COVID-19. The state is aiming to conduct 2 lakhs to 2.5 lakh tests between today and tomorrow. 

 Karnataka and capital Bengaluru saw the highest single-day spike so far in the pandemic, with 14,738 new cases in the states. Of these, 10,497 are from Bengaluru. While Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa called an emergency meeting today to discuss the situation, his government has ruled out the possibility of a lockdown. 

In Chhattisgarh, on Thursday, 15,256 cases of coronavirus have been identified, while 105 people have died due to corona.

All social gathering outlets have been ordered to remain close from today evening to Monday (19 April) morning. This order was issued after the state health bulletin listed 16,699 new infections in a single day.

The Kumbh has reported 30 sadhus positive for COVID-19. Around 2,167 devotees from the Kumbh were tested for COVID in the first five days from April 10-15.

After several states reported a shortage of oxygen, the government announced 100 new hospitals to have their own oxygen plant under the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund. and an import of another 50,000 metric tonnes of medical oxygen. The decision was taken at a meeting of Empowered Group 2 (EG2) which was held yesterday to review the availability of essential medical equipment and oxygen during COVID.