Of course, we do not want oxygen stocks to run low
Palu (ANTARA) - The Palu city government has ensured sufficient availability of oxygen cylinders in the city to support the treatment of COVID-19 patients and as a precautionary measure against a surge in COVID-19 cases at hospitals.

Vice Mayor of Palu Reny A. Lamadjido stated in the city on Saturday that she had reviewed the availability of oxygen cylinders at PT Aneka Gas Industri on Friday (July 24) and found the stocks to still be quite sufficient.

Hence, Lamadjido called on people to not harbor concerns about shortages of oxygen cylinders.

"We take this step as a precautionary measure against a spike in COVID-19 cases in Palu. Of course, we have to prepare sufficient oxygen stocks," she expounded.

The vice mayor emphasized that oxygen availability was crucial for COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms since oxygen cylinders assisted their breathing and kept their condition stable.


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Apart from COVID-19 patients, Lamadjido noted that oxygen was also required for other patients that had not contracted the virus, for which the government should take anticipatory steps before an oxygen cylinder crisis occurs.

"Of course, we do not want oxygen stocks to run low. The government and the company need to build more intensive communication to maintain the resilience of existing stocks," she stated.

To avoid undue use of oxygen that could trigger a shortage of oxygen cylinders, Lamadjido appealed to residents to continue to follow the 5M health protocols of wearing masks, washing hands with soap in running water, maintaining distance, avoiding crowds, and limiting mobility and social interaction.

In addition, Lamadjido encouraged the residents to partake in the vaccination program to achieve the 80-90 percent target to build herd immunity.

"Surveillance officers also need to optimize 'testing, tracing, and treatment' (3T), so that people exposed to the coronavirus, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, can be detected as soon as possible," she noted.


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Translator: Mohamad Ridwan, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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