Whether It's Good News Or Bad News, Riau Islands Propose 250 Oxygen Cylinders To Singapore

JAKARTA - The Provincial Government of the Riau Islands (Kepri) has submitted a request for 250 oxygen cylinders to the Singapore Government to anticipate a surge in COVID-19 cases in the area.

"Singapore offers oxygen cylinder assistance for Riau Islands. So we accept and are certainly grateful," said Head of the Riau Islands Provincial Health Office, Bisri, as quoted by Antara, Thursday, July 8.

Nevertheless, Bisri claims that so far the stock of oxygen cylinders for the purposes of handling COVID-19 cases at local hospitals is still sufficient.

In addition, oxygen cylinder distributors in the area, especially in Batam City are still able to meet the supply of oxygen cylinders.

"It still needs to be anticipated, because who knows COVID-19 cases will increase," said Bisri.

Bisri emphasized that currently oxygen cylinders are urgently needed to treat COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe symptoms in hospitals.

Not only that, people with other chronic diseases such as severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) also need oxygen supply so that patients can survive. Furthermore, the Spokesperson for the Riau Islands COVID-19 Task Force also mentioned the occupancy of beds for COVID-19 patients in hospitals. the average is already at 70 percent.

According to him, this is one of the reasons for Riau Islands, including areas that are subject to tightening of the Micro PPKM, because hospital occupancy is approaching 80 percent.