Amid a great spike in coronavirus cases, now Jalandhar isalso facing a shortage in oxygen supply. According to DC Ghanshyam Thori, thedistrict lacks 1600 oxygen cylinders. Regarding the same matter, DC Thori hassent a letter to Punjab Government through the Punjab Health SystemCorporation. In the letter, he has addressed the need for 16 metric tonnes ofcylinder daily.

Around 3000-3500 oxygen cylinders are being consumeddaily in the Jalandhar district. Apart from this, 400-500 cylinders areprovided to other districts like Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahar. At present, theJalandhar has been able to manufacture only 2400 cylinders from two plants.However, in total 4000 cylinders are needed daily to prevent the situation fromworsening.

Some amount of liquid oxygen is supplied from Panipat,Sonipat, Rajpura, and Bathinda. But the situation is also deteriorating inthese places, which might affect the supply of oxygen. Jalandhar DC, GhanshyamThore also said that “the government must immediately supply oxygen to thedistrict.”

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Meanwhile, the price of oxygen cylinders is alsospiraling up. There is a high demand for oxygen in the district and productionis low, resulting in an increase in the price. Dr. Navjot Dahiya, President ofthe India Medical Association, Punjab, said, “One oxygen cylinder that was soldat around Rs 180- Rs 200 in the month of February this year is now being soldat Rs 450.”

Punjab has reported 4,653 fresh coronavirus cases in thelast 24 hours, including 380 cases from the Jalandhar district. The state hasrecorded 84 fatalities. With the new cases, the Punjab tally has jumped to3,04,660.

The country today has reported 2.59 lakh new cases and1761 fatalities on April 19.