Send vax, approve 2 oxygen plants in Punjab: CM to Centre

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 19

CM Capt Amarinder Singh today urged the Centre to send immediate supply of vaccine and also give quick approval for two new oxygen plants in the state amid concerns over depleting stocks of both. On the availability of vaccine, the Chief Secretary told the CM that the situation was critical, with only three days of stocks left, but the Centre has assured that more would be coming soon.

Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan said though Indian Oil Limited (OIL) was providing the state with oxygen supplies, the situation was a matter of concern. A close watch was being kept on the demand-supply situation at both government and private hospitals, she said. A committee was coordinating with the Centre in this regard, Mahajan said.

Health Secretary Hussan Lal said three plants had been operationalised since the last surge and two plants at medical colleges in Amritsar and Patiala were awaiting the Centre’s approval. While there was shortage currently, supplies were being diverted from one district to another to meet the requirement.

The meeting was informed that vaccination appeared to be having a positive effect in the police department, with only one vaccinated official testing positive in the past 24 hours, and a total of only 397 positive cases among those who have been immunised.

The CM directed all departments to maximise vaccination and urged industries to take responsibility for getting their employees vaccinated.

84 deaths, most in second wave

• While 4,653 cases were reported in Punjab in the past 24 hours, 84 persons succumbed to the virus, the highest number of fatalities in the second wave
• Most cases were reported from Mohali at 792, followed by Ludhiana (758). Most deaths were reported in Amritsar (12) and Ludhiana (10)