Higher demand for oxygenated beds and ICUs as patients’ numbers rose to 56k

Picture used for representational purpose only

Bengaluru: As there are 3.2 lakh active cases in Karnataka, the state government indicate that around 56,000 patients are likely to require oxygenated beds and 10,000 would need ICUs.

All of them would not need these beds at the same time. But the burden managed by the healthcare system is twice than that of the first wave of the pandemic.

The state has stated to the Karnataka high court, “Oxygen requirement is projected based on the past experience that 17% of active cases may require oxygen beds and 3% of active cases may require ICU beds.”

Between March 11, 2020, and April 14 this year, the government has added 22,000 oxygen beds, 1,500 ventilator beds, 700 ICUs and 1,248 high-flow nasal cannula beds across its facilities.

The multiple daily records have now added more than 4 lakh cases this month, and the state had an active caseload of more than 3.2 lakh as of April 28. And 17% and 3% of this would mean 55,910 and 9,866. It is according to these estimates that the government has informed the need for 1,471 tonnes of oxygen per day by April 30.

Govt says firms have delivered 55,000 Remdesivir vials

According to the data from the state drug controllers’ office, more than 50,000 oxygen beds which are inclusive of ICUs across the state, would require 1,643 tonnes of oxygen every day going by the oxygen flow rate of each bed.

The state has reported at least a 45% shortage of oxygen supply to meet the demand of 1,471 tonnes a day. Dr HM Prasanna stated that the centre has given a particular formula to highlight the oxygen demand.

Apart from this, the number of people who need critical drugs have also increased. The government affirmed that it has placed orders for more than 80,000 vials of Remdesivir and pharmaceutical firms have delivered 55,000 of them. The remaining ones are expected soon. The government said, ” A proposal is being moved to the cabinet to procure 1 lakh more vials.”

Health Minister Sudhakar has said that all the Covid patients do not require Remdesivir. He has also warned the doctors not to prescribe the drug to those who are not critical. He added that the government will take stringent action against those pharma firms which do not deliver the drug and also, the state would seek a larger allocation from the centre.