Titas Chakrobarty, Khulna Correspondent
Covid-19 cases has dramatically spiked in south-western district of Khulna. A sudden surge in Covid cases in Khulna district has left many corona patients gasping for breath due to an apparent shortage of medical oxygen in some hospitals. The demand for oxygen, in fact, doubled in the district in the past one month according to various reports.

The health facilities as well as the health professionals’ working day and night are getting overwhelmed with the increasing number of patients. At a Khulna hospital dedicated for Covid-19 patients, for instance, the number of patients is rising by the day. But the hospital is being forced to turn many of them away due to lack of vacant oxygen and ICU beds. The worst sufferers are the elderly patients.

The liquid gas traders have expressed caution as the demand for the live-saving gas has doubled as compared to May. The demand for small cylinders was 1.36 cubic metres on a daily basis but the demand has surged to double. Similarly, the demand for large cylinders (6.8 cubic metres) has risen to 400 daily from last month’s figure of 200-259 daily.

The authority has already installed liquid oxygen tanks at Khulna Medical College and Hospital. Many private hospitals are also witnessing a surge in demand for medical oxygen. Some hospitals have started sourcing oxygen from private firms directly.

As per the record, eight Covid-19 patients have died in Khulna division in 24 hours on Friday. Besides, some 1,033 people have been found infected with the virus during the same period.

On Thursday, 18 people died of Covid-19 while 765 new cases were registered in the division. So far, 43,644 people have been infected with the virus in 10 districts of the division, and the death toll has reached 775. A total of 33,944 people have recovered from the virus to date.