13 states respond to Centre's query, only Punjab reports 'suspected' deaths due to oxygen shortage

Thirteen states responded to Centre's request for data on oxygen shortage-related deaths with only Punjab reporting four 'suspected' deaths due to shortage of liquid medical oxygen (LMO).

Only one state has till now reported "suspected" death due to oxygen shortage during the second wave of COVID-19 after the Centre sought data from them on such fatalities following the raising of the issue in Parliament, a top official said on Tuesday. "When the question was raised in Parliament, states were specifically asked this question and as per reports received only one state mentioned suspected death and no state has so far said that there were deaths because of oxygen shortage," Joint Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said while replying to a query at a press conference.