After 24 people died in one Indian hospital, many are attributing the deaths to a lack of oxygen. An investigation has been called for.
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, India is facing a shortage of oxygen at many hospitals. Twenty-four COVID-19 patients died at a government-run hospital in the southern state of Karnataka on Sunday into Monday. Many people are attributing the deaths to a lack of oxygen and blaming the central government. « Died or Killed? My heartfelt condolences to their families. How much more suffering before the ‘system’ wakes up? » Indian National Congress member Rahul Gandhi tweeted. However, Chamarajanagar District In-Charge Minister S. Suresh Kumar said officials are waiting for a death audit report. « It’s not appropriate to say that all the 24 deaths happened due to oxygen shortage, » Kumar said, according to news agency PTI. « These deaths happened from Sunday morning to this morning. The oxygen shortage happened in the wee hours of Monday—from 12.30 am to 2.30 am. » « All the people who died may not have died due to oxygen shortage, » he added. The Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa called for an investigation. In a Twitter thread, Yediyurappa sent condolences to the family members of those lost at the Chamarajanagar district hospital and ordered an inquiry. « We will also ensure that such an incident is never repeated, » he said. For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below. As a catastrophic surge of the coronavirus sweeps through India, the leaders of 13 opposition parties urged the government to launch a free vaccination drive and ensure an uninterrupted flow of oxygen to all hospitals.
