Decision on extending lockdown beyond May 24 will be taken after reviewing Covid-19 situation: Pralhad Joshi

Team Udayavani, May 18, 2021, 2:23 PM IST

Hubbali: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said that decision on extending lockdown beyond May 24 will be taken after assessing the situation after May 22.

He was speaking after formally handing over an Oxygen on Wheels vehicle donated by Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO) on KIMS Hospital premises in Hubballi on Monday.

Pralhad said, “I have not seen the expert committee report on lockdown continuation but will suggest to the government to take a decision after May 22. It will take time for the surge in the COVID-19 cases to come down and lockdown will be implemented strictly to curb the spread of   Covid-19.”

Talking about oxygen shortage, he said, “The district has oxygen stock that will be enough for the next 8 to 10 days.  The 50 tonnes of oxygen that arrived from Kuwait will be distributed among various districts. Those who approached hospitals in the initial stages of the infection itself have recovered now.”

Oxygen on wheels

JITO president Shantilal Oswal said, ” The Oxygen on Wheels vehicle donated by JITO is a school van converted for emergency purposes. COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen could wait in the bus and use oxygen till bed arrangements are made at KIMS. Also, Six patients can get oxygen and other facilities in the bus, at a time. Six oxygen concentrators of nine liters capacity each have been installed in the bus. In the coming days, another vehicle will be donated to the Dharwad District Hospital.”

Member of Legislative Council Pradeep Shettar, KIMS Director Ramalingappa Antaratani, Shankranna Munavalli of KLE Society, Rakesh Katharia, Gautam Oswal, Kishwan Katharia and others of JITO were present.