Goa: 13 deaths reported at hospital due to lack of oxygen

Thirteen people died today at the Goa hospital after oxygen levels once again dropped in Covid ward. Resident doctors began reporting fluctuations around 9.30pm that went on till 2.30am in the wards assigned to Covid patients.

With 74 people dead so far due to a dip in oxygen levels at Goa Medical College and Hospital in Goa in four days, state authorities continue to blame “logistical issues” for the fatalities. A similar situation was reported on Tuesday when 26 covid patients succumbed in GMCH due to drop in oxygen pressure.

The horror at the GMCH is continuing even as the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court is hearing petitions related to deaths during the "dark hours" at the premier hospital.

While the officials have blamed "logistical issues" over the fatalities in the hospital, the Goa government has formed a three-member committee to inquire into the oxygen supply issue of the facility.

"The Competent Authority has decided to appoint three members for the Committee to inquire into the oxygen supply issues at GMC: Dr BK Mishra-Director-IIT Chairperson; Dr VN Jindal-Ex Dean GMC - Member and Dr Tariq Thomas, Secretary (UD)-Member, Convenor," the Goa government order read, as reported by news agency ANI.

In the last 24 hours, 2,491 persons tested positive for coronavirus, while 63 died of the infection in Goa. With this, the coastal state's caseload has risen to 1,30,130 and the toll has reached 1,937.

The count of recoveries rose to 95,240, after 2,266 patients were discharged from various treatment facilities during the day. The state is now left with 32,953 active cases. Goa's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 1,30,130, new cases 2,491, death toll 1,937, discharged 95,240, active cases 32,953, samples tested till date 7,40,931.