By: Afaq Bhat
Srinagar: Amidst the surge in COVID-19 cases across Jammu and Kashmir, people are trying their best to extend helping hand to each other but shortage of oxygen cylinders is emerging as a main concern.
A video that went viral on social media on Sunday evening revealed the plight of Srinagar’s premiere hospital SMHS. The anchor, who had shot the video, could be seen urging the people that “COVID-19 is no drama. Please take precautions. It’s a crisis like situation and if number keeps on increasing people will die for the want of oxygen. There are so many young people admitted in this ward. It’s heart breaking.”
“We don’t wake up now, it will be too late,” a patient admitted in the hospital is heard saying.
The anchor urges the oxygen suppliers to supply the equipments that are needed to make these cylinders functional. “Please take precautions. Otherwise we will find no space in the hospitals,” the anchor says.
As the pandemic is raging across Kashmir mohalla and masjid committees have become active and funds are being collected to keep oxygen cylinders available for the patients, who are under house isolation and may face complications.
“We are facing a difficult situation and need to take all the precautions. Anyone can catch Covid. Patients who are being admitted to the hospital are catching bilateral pneumonia and their oxygen saturation level drops instantly. The second wave is taking a heavy toll,” said a medico.
He said, “Hospitals are getting full and patients are not even finding beds. If the virus doesn’t relent we will have to keep an oxygen cylinder ready in every home. The government should consider a lockdown at least for 8 to 10 days as it will prevent the virus from moving. In Delhi and Maharashtra the lockdown strategy seems to be working as the new cases have started to decline.”
The medico said, “The patient can fight the virus without oxygen support as long as his saturation level doesn’t decline. At present hundreds of COVID-19 patients are under home isolation but they are responding to the treatment. We are facing a crisis like situation but it can be managed if we remain calm and put our act together.”
The medico urged the people to get the COVID-19 jab at the earliest. “Getting vaccinated can help us to fight the virus in a better way. Situation is ugly but it can be handled,” he added.
‘COVID-19 no drama, take precautions before it becomes too late’
