Bengaluru: Although Covid-19 infection has surged exponentially over the past few weeks in Karnataka, the demand for liquid medical oxygen (LMO) is not in accordance with what is done in the second wave.
Consumption remains stable at around 200 tons a day for more than three months now, and experts believe it is impossible to increase even if the case continues to increase.
On Wednesday, the center instructed all countries to ensure LMO buffer supply in all hospitals who treated Covid-19 patients.
It is said that the LMO tank must be filled and, where delayed, the process of installing swing absorption plants (PSA) must be completed.
Officials in Karnataka said preparations were lit, even though the consumption of LMO remained stagnant since the beginning of the third wave from the end of December.
“LMO consumption has been stable in 200 tons since the second wave receded last year, but we took steps to increase supply,” said Munish Moudgil, Nodal officer, Covid-19 War Room.
“We added 400 tons to a production capacity of 1,200 tons.” D Randeep, the health commissioner, said that around 150 PSA factories were assigned and 25 more will be installed soon.
“We have also issued work orders to buy LMO tankers,” he said.
Another encouraging fact is around 99% of the current LMO consumption is by non-opovid patients while demand from covid patients has been ignored.
This is regardless of the number of active cases that cross the lakh sign.
Only about 5% of these cases need inpatient care.
Last year, during the second wave, the state suffered a short supply of acute LMO because demand rose to 1,800 tons due to pre-covid levels of 120 tons.
The hospital was overwhelmed with patients who were seeking intensive care, and hundreds died of lack of oxygen.
The crisis forced the government to divert all the number of industrial oxygen for Covid care.
Even then, supply demand far exceeds.
Experts said the repetition of nightmares was impossible.
“According to the input we received, the request for LMO is impossible to rise,” said Kr Sahasranam, Vice President, All-India Industrial Gass Manufacturing Association.
Dr.
S Vijaya, famous for Virology and Retired Professor IISC Microbiology, said it was almost no need for hospitalization so far during the third wave and it was clear that the omicron variant of Coronavirus had replaced Delta.
“Almost all patients infected with Omicron only show mild to moderate symptoms,” said Dr.
Vijaya.
“Even if the infection caused by Delta, it won’t be severe if someone is vaccinated.
About 85% of targeted adults have been fully vaccinated, while seroprevalence in Karnataka is also high.
This is the reason why the demand for LMO is low.” He said the infection in the third wave appeared limited to the throat and does not affect the lungs.
“The level of oxygen saturation in patients is not affected and they do not have respiratory problems.
So, LMO is not needed,” he said.