Kalaburagi: A day after 24 coronavirus-infected patients allegedly died due to shortage of oxygen in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar, four Covid-19 patients who were on ventilators died in Afzalpur taluk in Kalaburagi district early Tuesday morning.
According to the families of the deceased, all of them were above 70 years and had developed Covid-related complications on Sunday evening and allegedly died due to a shortage of oxygen.
However, the district authorities said all four patients had comorbidities and died due to severe complications but admitted that there was a delay of three to four hours in procuring oxygen from Kalaburagi where the oxygen is stored.
"We can't say that all four patients died due to lack of oxygen. I accept that there is a shortage of oxygen in the taluk but the administration will try their best to deliver oxygen cylinders, "said Afzalpur taluk medical officer Ratnakara Torana.
Meanwhile, speaking to ETV Bharat, Deputy Commissioner V V Jyothsna said, "Some media published news as 4 people died due to lack of Oxygen in Kalburgi's Afzalpura Hospital. I immediately contacted officials and collected information. Later we sent the Tahsildar to the spot to collect information."
"Two male and two female patients died today but it's not because of oxygen shortage. Every day we will collect oxygen with the help of district health officials. Till now no one has died due to a shortage of oxygen in Kalburgi, "added Jyothsna.
Oxygen crisis deepened in certain parts of Karnataka, including the state capital with hospitals openly raising concern over the gap in oxygen supply.
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