23 Covid-19 patients dead at Chamarajanagar Hospital

Twenty-three Covid-19 infected persons died at a dedicated government-run hospital in Chamarajanagar district after oxygen supply ran out. The deaths occurred in 24 hours since Sunday morning. The government has ordered an inquiry by IAS officer Shivayogi Kalasad and asked him to submit a report in three days.

The backward district bordering Tamil Nadu and Kerala is dependent on Mysuru which has two major oxygen bottling units. Authorities in Chamarajanagar blamed the Mysuru district administration for not sending oxygen cylinders on time, which disrupted the critical supply.

District minister S Suresh Kumar and health minister K Sudhakar said not all deaths were due to oxygen shortage as 14 patients were in the hospital for 14-18 days with serious health complications. Sudhakar said he had been briefed about the incident by doctors but did not wish to comment as it could influence the probe.

The ministers also added that the oxygen demand at the district hospital had been rising with a steep increase in the inflow of Covid-19 patients. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi conveyed his condolences. “My heartfelt condolences to their families. How much more suffering before the ‘system’ wakes up,” he tweeted. Congress general secretary RS Surjewala said it was a case of ‘murder designed due to the negligence’ of the Yediyurappa government and demanded health minister K Sudhakar’s resignation.