Prior to the new year, there was an increase in the case of coronavirus in the country ushering its second wave. Deaths numbering 50, 48 and 70 were recorded in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd week of January 2021 respectively with a shortage of oxygen supply at isolation centres attributed as playing a contributing factor. In lieu of this, yesterday, President Buhari approved the release of N4.5 billion to set up oxygen gas plants in 38 locations across Nigeria. It is believed that this will alleviate oxygen scarcity within the country.
Last week, the commissioner for health in Lagos State, Akin Abayomi had called for the need of oxygen to treat patients saying;
Oxygen usage is on the increase. By 1st week of January 2021 daily rationed usage of oxygen was 200 cylinders. Realistic projection without rationing is about 750 cylinders per day. There is an increasing number of patients who require oxygen therapy at IDH, Yaba. The initial projections for oxygen usage in IDH was 70 cylinders per day. Over 71per cent increases in oxygen usage in IDH. Given the increase in cases, oxygen usage is expected to be high.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), there are currently 1964 cases of Covid-19 in Nigeria with Lagos topping the list with 824 cases.