13 more COVID-19 patients die at Goa Medical College and Hospital; toll rises to 75 in four days

The number of patients who have died during the "dark hours (between 2 am and 6 am) at the hospital has touched 75 in the last four days. As per state government statistics, 26 patients had died at the GMCH during the wee hours of Tuesday, followed by 21 on Wednesday, 15 on Thursday and 13 on Friday (total 75).

The court is hearing a bunch of petitions on the recent death of COVID-19 patients at the GMCH allegedly due to lack of medical oxygen. The Goa government had told the HC on Thursday that during the process of attaching the oxygen manifold there was some interruption, which results in the fall of pressure in the supply lines of oxygen to patients. "We were explained that during this process there was some interruption, which resulted in the fall of pressure in the supply lines of oxygen to the patients.

"It was pointed out that it is basically on account of these factors some casualties may have taken place," the bench had said. "We expect the state administration to find out ways and means to overcome these logistical issues so that precious life is not lost on account of any deficiencies in the matter of supply of oxygen to patients," the HC had said.

Reacting to the deaths, Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai said the high court should "take over the affairs of the state as there is a collapse of governance".