In a shocking development, the state of Goa has witnessed 26 patients succumbing to the COVID-19 viral infection in four hours at the state's medical college and hospital. In light of incessant deaths in a day, the High Court had also ordered the government to conduct an investigation into the matter.

According to reports, Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has on Tuesday said that 26 COVID-19 patients had died at the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in the early hours. Rane admitted that these deaths in the wee hours of Tuesday between 2 am and 6 am and the Health Minister has revealed that the hospital had faced a shortfall in the supply of medical oxygen as of Monday. 

Speaking to the reporters, the health minister has said, "The high court should investigate the reasons behind these deaths. The high court should also intervene and prepare a white paper on oxygen supply to the GMCH, which would help to set things right." Rane was addressing the reporters after Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had visited the hospital. 

Rane said that the medical oxygen requirement of the facility as of Monday was 1,200 jumbo cylinders of which only 400 were supplied.  He further stated that a three-member team of nodal officers set up by the state government to oversee COVID-19 treatment at GMCH should give its inputs about the issues to the Chief Minister. 

On Tuesday, Goa Chief Minister had visited the COVID-19 wards at the hospital and he met the patients under treatment and their relatives. He admitted that there are issues over the availability of oxygen in these wards which need to be sorted out. He had announced the setting up of a ward-wise mechanism to ensure a smooth supply of medical oxygen. 

After visiting the hospital, Sawant said, "Doctors, who are busy treating patients, cannot spend their time in arranging logistics like oxygen. I will hold a meeting immediately to set up the ward-wise mechanisms to ensure that oxygen is supplied to patients in time." The Chief Minister had maintained that the state has no shortage of medical oxygen and cylinders in the state and added that the problem rises when these cylinders do not reach their destinations on time. 

According to the state health department, Goa has reported 2,804 cases, 2,367 recoveries, and 50 deaths on Monday. Overall, Goa has reported 1,21,650 COVID-19 cases so far as of Monday of which 32,262 are active, 87,659 have been recovered, and 1,729 had succumbed to the viral infection. The health department has said that the state has done 7,18,422 samples and the recovery rate stands at 72.06%.