More Breathlessness Among COVID Patients Leading To Demand For Oxygen In 2nd Wave, Says Centre

New Delhi: There is a greater need for oxygen in the second wave of coronavirus with more COVID patients have suffering from breathlessness more than any other symptom.

Other symptoms like body ache were higher in the first wave, VK Paul, member, NITI Aayog was quoted as saying in media reports.

According to him, more than 70 per cent of patients are over 40 in both waves.

“The older population continues to be more vulnerable. Only a marginally higher proportion of patients are in the younger age group despite opening up of activities,” Balram Bhargava, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) was quoted as saying. “The main message is that there is no overarching extra proportion or excess risk of young people becoming Covid positive. It is the same as the last time,” he said.

According to the Union Health Ministry, there is no difference in the percentage of deaths between last year and now.

India today reported 2,73,810 fresh infections and 1,619 deaths in a new record since the pandemic broke out a year ago. The total caseload climbed to 1.5 crore; 1.78 lakh people have died so far.

Meanwhile, the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has decided to set up Oxygen plants at its fertiliser units at Paradip and three other places. The plants will come up at the fertiliser unit in Odisha, Phulpur and Aonla in Uttar Pradesh and Kalol in Gujarat.

The oxygen produced at these plants will be provided to hospitals free of cost for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

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