Govt fully prepared to combat third wave: CM

PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday claimed that in future Goa will not face shortage of liquid medical oxygen in hospitals and that the government is fully prepared to combat the predicted third wave of coronavirus.
Speaking to media after inaugurating 31,000 litres oxygen storage tank at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Bambolim, Sawant said that vaccination is the only solution to fight against COVID-19 virus and that people should support the efforts of the government to prevent the spread of virus.
Sawant said that Goa is the first State to have its maximum population given first dose of COVID-19  vaccines and hoped that the government with the support of people will achieve 100 per cent coverage by October 30 this year.
The chief minister also thanked the SBI Foundation for donating the oxygen storage tank through its CSR initiative and added that this kind gesture will go a long way in meeting the needs of the patients at Goa’s premier institution.
GMC Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar said that with the commissioning of the new tank, the total capacity of oxygen supply at the GMC has increased to 71 metric tonnes.
To a question, Dr Bandekar said that it is too early to declare victory over COVID-19 disease and added that people should follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.
Dr Bandekar informed  that there were 69 COVID-19 patients admitted in the super-specialty block and that condition of 14-15 patients was critical.