Terming the massive rise in coronavirus cases in India as a ‘Tsunami,’ the Delhi High Court on Saturday asked the Central Government how it is preparing to deal with the expected COVID-19 second wave peak in mid-May. The high court also said that it will “hang” anyone, who will hinder oxygen supplies to hospitals in the national capital.

Referring to a study by IIT scientists that says the peak of second wave of COVID will come in mid-May, a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said, “We are calling it a wave, it is actually a Tsunami.” Delhi HC asked Centre about the preparedness in terms of infrastructure, hospitals, medical staff, medicines, vaccines and oxygen for the expected peak.

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The court said, the viral disease has low mortality and those who have a low immunity will eventually die but the problem comes when people who could be saved are also dying and added, “The mortality rate needs to be reduced.”

The country needs to be ready for the worst, said Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and added that Prime Minister and others are working on it.

The Centre has decided to import oxygen and are also exploring the remotest possibility of generating oxygen from wherever it is possible, Tushar Mehta said. 

The court was hearing submissions by the counsel for Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, Jaipur Golden Hospital, Batra Hospital and Saroj Super Speciality Hospital here over shortage of oxygen for treating seriously-ill COVID patients.

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“We will hang that man. We will not spare anyone,” the court said while telling the Delhi government to give one instance of any official at the central, state or local administration obstructing the pickup of oxygen supplies.