After an expert committee in Karnataka found out that there was excessive use of oxygen for treating COVID-19 patients, the state government issues guidelines for usage of oxygen. "Excessive usage, besides having deleterious health effects, is resulting in the wastage of a precious resource leading to a shortage of the commodity and waste of money," the letter added. In a letter issued yesterday, Jawaid Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, said there is an "unprecedented surge in the demand of oxygen" to treat COVID-19 patients. In Karnataka, there are 83,999 active COVID-19 cases, with 4615 deaths. The COVID-19 tally in the country rose to 29,75,702 including 6,97,330 active cases, 22,22,578 cured/discharged/migrated & 55,794 deaths, according to Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Source: dna August 22, 2020 05:26 UTC