Covid case spikes may cause oxygen crisis

The health authorities have warned that if the number of coronavirus patients keep rising, Bangladesh may face a shortage of medical oxygen supply.

However, there is no crisis in production and supply of oxygen now, Prof Namul Islam, spokesperson of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said on Sunday.

Speaking at a media briefing, the DGHS official said that the number of patients reported during the 26th week of 2021, has increased by 51pc as compared to the data of the previous week. 

“Fatalities have risen by 46pc in the same period,” he added.  In response to the queries from the reporters, he said that an inquiry has been opened into allegations of deaths due to the oxygen crisis. 

“There is no crisis in oxygen production and supply now. However, it would be difficult to meet the demand if the number of coronavirus patients keep rising,” said Islam

The DGHS spokesperson also said that there is no shortage of testing kits as antigen and rt-PCR tests are being conducted at the testing facilities. Bangladesh is capable of testing 50,000 samples a day, he added.

Responding to a query on the Moderna vaccines, Prof Nazmul said: “We are yet to finalize how they will be administered. We are working on it.” 

On Bangladeshis citizens stranded in India, he said: “They will be able to enter the country through the land borders.”  The borders will be open on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, of every week, he added. On vaccination for university students, he said that it will be done in phases and will “take time”.

“We will inform you after the investigation. But overall there is no crisis in oxygen production and supply now. However, if the number of patients increases compared to the demand, a challenge will be created.” Nazmul Islam said there is no kit crisis in the country. Antigen and RTPCR tests are being done at each place. The country has a capacity to do 50,000 tests per day, he added. He also said the University Grant Commission (UGC) is sending the list of residential students of universities for vaccines to DGHS and the list is being sent to the Ministry of ICT. All the students of the university will get the vaccine in phases but it will take time, he further added.