Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday assured that his government “will not let anyone die” due to a shortage of medical oxygen, given that the Centre keeps up with the daily demand of the gas. 

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief said that the city received 730 metric tonnes of medical oxygen yesterday, thanking the Centre, the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court for the same. He also said that if the adequate supply is maintained, his government can set up an additional 9,000 – 9,500 beds, PTI reported.

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One of the worst-affected states from the raging second wave of the pandemic, Delhi’s medical infrastructure has been stretched thin with an average of over 20,000 new cases being recorded in the city everyday. 

He also said that the national capital would continue needing at least 700 metric tonnes of medical oxygen on a daily basis throughout the duration of the current wave. 

“For the first time, Centre supplied 730 tons oxygen to Delhi yesterday. Delhi requires 700 tons. We’re thankful to Centre, Delhi High Court and Supreme Court. With their efforts, we received 730 tons of oxygen. I request everyone with folded hands to not bring down the supply, we’ll be thankful,” ANI quoted Kejriwal as saying. 

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The chief minister also urged hospitals, that had to cut down their admission capacity due to lack of oxygen, to increase their number of beds for COVID patients. This can help increase the number of beds in the city by 1,000 – 2,000, he said. 

The city had administed vaccines to 35.74 lakh people, Kejriwal said, adding that around 28 lakh people had received a single dose and around 7.74 lakh people were given both doses.