Long queues were formed across Peru on Saturday, as hundreds
of citizens tried to avail medical oxygen for those affected by COVID-19, in
what turns out to be a shortage emerging out of the coronavirus pandemic’s
second wave in the country. A medical order and one of the patient’s identity
documents were necessitated for availing the oxygen, AFP reported.

Oxygen plants across the nation were under tight surveillance,
with the first person at a queue in San Juan Lurigancho – an economically
disadvantaged area north-east of the capital – arriving on Friday afternoon, slept
on the street.

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The government estimates the demand for oxygen to have gone
up close to 200% as the second wave of coronavirus hit Peru, as the total number
of deaths as well as infections went up about four times as compared to in
December, 2020.

Reportedly, as per official data, Peru at present has about 1.3
million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 44,690 deaths.

In capital Lima’s neighbouring port city of Callao, Criogas has
gone for a new system in order to provide more people in a lesser amount of time.
The company’s owner, Jose Luis Barsallo, has reportedly gone for the technique of
cutting out resellers and filling up halfway to serve oxygen to more people.

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The government in the country, on the other hand, has been
accused of charges against close to 500 officials, including former president
Martin Vizcara and other ministers, of getting themselves vaccinated ahead of
their turn.