Number of Oxygen-dependent COVID patients on the decline

7 September 2021 12:00 am Views - 188

• Says prepared to provide oxygen in case numbers increase
• Cabinet grants approval to import 360,000 lts liquid medicinal Oxygen
• Oxygen should be generated in the country rather than importing 

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

The number of COVID-19 patients depending on oxygen has been relatively reduced in the country, Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath said.  Addressing a news briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau, he said this was due to a slight decrease in the number of COVID patients.

“It is a great relief that the number of Oxygen-dependent patients has decreased. However, we are prepared to provide oxygen in case the number of such patients goes up,” Dr Herath underlined. He also emphasised the importance of getting Oxygen generated in the country rather than importing them. The Cabinet recently granted approval for the import of 360,000 litres of liquid medicinal Oxygen in addition to the monthly general import of 120,000 litres of liquid medicinal Oxygen to address insufficient stocks of Oxygen.

The number of patients depending on Oxygen had escalated in the recent past owing to the widespread of COVID variants in the country.

• The number of patients depending on Oxygen had escalated in the recent past owing to the widespread of COVID variants in the country