At least eight COVID-19 patients in India reportedly died at a hospital after it took too long to change their oxygen — underscoring the devastating impact the catastrophic surge is having on the country.
The patients on ventilator support were left struggling to breathe as staffers changed out the oxygen tanks Monday at the Ruia government hospital in Tirupati, the New Indian Express reported.
Family members are mourning their loved ones, who allegedly died due to lack of oxygen while on ventilators, with some arguing with hospital staff at the scene. Jam Press/NewslionsThe hospital said there was only a five-minute delay before a new reserve of oxygen arrived, but the slight disruption resulted in the deaths of the eight COVID-19 patients.
“This happened in a span of five minutes. The oxygen tanker arrived and the situation was quickly brought under control,” a local official told the outlet.
COVID-19 patients on ventilators died after the oxygen supply was disrupted in a hospital overnight. Jam Press/NewslionsFootage showed family members arguing with staff, while others mourned their loved ones.
Three other patients who were not being treated for the virus also died, the outlet reported.
At least eight COVID-19 patients have died at a hospital in India after oxygen supply was disrupted overnight. Jam Press/NewslionsOxygen shortages have been reported at several hospitals as the country has become inundated with COVID-19 cases.
The seven-day average of new infections reached a record high of 390,995 on Tuesday, according to health officials.
A video shows patients struggling to breathe inside the intensive care unit in the Ruia government hospital in Tirupati. Jam Press/NewslionsWith Post wires
