COVID-19 Crisis in Brazil: Oxygen Supply Runs Short for Patients
Manaus, a city in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, has been grappling with a significant oxygen crisis due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The city, which has witnessed a high number of cases and deaths, is currently facing a shortage of essential oxygen supplies for patients battling the virus.
Brazil, the South American country where the first COVID-19 case was confirmed on February 26, 2020, currently ranks third globally in terms of infected cases, after the US and India. With over 17 million confirmed cases and more than 500,000 deaths, Brazil has the second-highest number of COVID-19 deaths worldwide, trailing only behind the US.
President Jair Bolsonaro acknowledged the oxygen problem in Manaus but stated that Brazil has done its part in addressing it. However, the current situation regarding the oxygen supply for COVID-19 patients in Manaus is not explicitly detailed in the latest available data.
In January 2021, Manaus experienced a critical shortage of oxygen, leading to a severe crisis where patients died due to asphyxiation. This situation was exacerbated by the emergence of the Gamma variant (P.1), which contributed to a rapid increase in cases. The federal government was criticised for its handling of the crisis, with accusations of promoting ineffective treatments and ignoring scientific advice.
At the peak of the crisis, neighbouring countries like Venezuela offered support, including oxygen supplies, to help alleviate the shortage. There was also a push to use river transport as a primary supply route, as it was considered more efficient than the proposed BR-319 highway. Calls for reforms and better planning within the healthcare system to prevent future crises, including improvements in resource distribution and emergency preparedness, have been made.
In the last five days, around 400 oxygen tanks were delivered to hospitals in the Amazonas state, and an Air Force plane delivered nine oxygen tanks to hospitals in the same region. Long lines for oxygen tanks are a common sight in Manaus hospitals due to the high demand. At least 60 newborns from Manaus were transferred to neonatal units in other regions of Brazil.
Relatives are playing a crucial role in the delivery of oxygen to Manaus hospitals due to the shortage. Residents of Manaus accuse local authorities of inadequate sanitary crisis management, as reported by Almaty.tv and Euronews.
As the pandemic continues to pose challenges, effective treatments and strategies based on scientific evidence remain crucial for managing outbreaks and preventing shortages of essential medical supplies. For the most current information, it would be necessary to consult recent reports or official announcements from health authorities in Brazil.
The oxygen crisis in Manaus, exacerbated by the Gamma variant, has highlighted the need for better health-and-wellness infrastructure and resource distribution. Amidst the ongoing shortage, effective science-based treatments and strategies are paramount to managing the COVID-19 outbreak and preventing medical-conditions like asphyxiation.
