News Analysis India

Tag: Oxygen

  • COVID crisis: Oxygen tankers from Thailand arrive in India; Air India steps up effort

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: A consignment of containers for transportation of medical oxygen arrived in India from Thailand while some more empty tankers will be airlifted from Singapore and Dubai on Tuesday, the Union home ministry said.

    The containers from Thailand were the third such consignment to be flown to the country in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) transport aircraft by the home ministry amid a surge in COVID-19 cases and a subsequent increase in demand for medical oxygen.

    “Some glimpses of airlift of oxygen containers from Bangkok by IAF last night. The airlift is being coordinated by MHA. It will enhance oxygen availability amid current COVID-19 surge,” a home ministry spokesperson said in a tweet, sharing pictures of the oxygen containers being loaded into an IAF aircraft.

    In another tweet, the home ministry said, “IAF C17 transport aircraft gearing up to airlift more empty oxygen containers from Singapore today. These containers will further boost oxygen availability in the country in view of the current COVID-19 surge. The airlift is being coordinated by MHA.”

    Later, the spokesperson said the airlift operations of empty containers continues and one more IAF transport aircraft reached Dubai on Tuesday to bring another lot of oxygen containers.

    “The MHA is coordinating the airlift, which will upscale oxygen availability in the country during the current COVID-19 surge,” the spokesperson said.

    The first consignment of empty oxygen containers was airlifted from Singapore on Saturday.

    Another batch of containers was brought from Dubai on Monday.

    All three aircraft carrying the containers landed in West Bengal.

    From there, they were taken to oxygen generating sites to be filled up and for onward transportation to the high-demand areas, mostly through special trains.

    India is struggling with the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds as the number of cases rises.

    The country’s COVID-19 caseload mounted to 1,76,36,307 on Tuesday with 3,23,144 more people testing positive for the viral disease.

    The death toll climbed to 1,97,894 as 2,771 more fatalities were recorded, according to Union health ministry.

    Since April 23, the home ministry has been coordinating efforts to deploy empty oxygen tankers and containers at various filling stations across the country to speed up the distribution of life-saving oxygen.

    The central government is trying to source oxygen from different parts of the country and making it available to the worst-hit states by running special trains.

    Meanwhile, Air India is going to airlift 10,636 oxygen concentrators from several countries in the next seven days, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday.

    “Air India is airlifting 10,636 oxygen concentrators manufactured by Philips. 636 (concentrators) already flown in from US. Consignments flying in every day. Will be completed within this week,” Puri said on Twitter.

    India is struggling with a second wave of the coronavirus infection and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds.

  • COVID-19: Ireland sending 700 oxygen concentrators to India

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Ireland on Tuesday joined a growing list of countries helping India tide over the coronavirus crisis as it announced sending 700 oxygen concentrators and other medical supplies to the country.

    The Irish embassy here said the oxygen concentrators are expected to reach India by Wednesday morning. “Ireland is sending 700 oxygen concentrators to India to help healthcare workers in providing timely aid to patients. The concentrators are expected to reach India by Wednesday early morning,” it said.

    Irish ambassador Brendan Ward said Ireland is in close contact with the Indian government and that it is looking at more assistance to India in dealing with the pandemic.

    “The situation in India is being followed closely in Ireland where there is now a large Indian community. Indian medical professionals are very important to our health system,” he said.

    “We are pleased to be able to offer these oxygen concentrators now. We are in close contact with the Indian government and we are looking at what further assistance we could offer such as ventilators and other equipment,” the envoy said.

    India is reeling under a devastating wave of coronavirus infections and hospitals across the country are facing acute shortage of beds, medical oxygen and other supplies due to rising COVID-19 cases.

    The US, Germany, France, Britain, Australia, Singapore, Israel and several other countries as well as the World Health Organisation and the European Union have already announced urgent medical assistance to India to help it deal with the situation.

    The Irish embassy said Ireland has also pledged to send ventilators to India and the the gesture of solidarity is a part of the European Union’s coordinated response to help the country overcome the surge in COVID-19 cases.

    India director of IDA Ireland Tanaz Buhariwalla said the Irish government is happy to support India in its fight against the pandemic.

    “India and Ireland have a strong relationship spanning decades. We are happy that during these difficult times, the Irish government has extended an arm to support our war against COVID 19 and aid the healthcare workers,” Buhariwalla said. IDA Ireland focuses on encouraging investment into Ireland by foreign-owned companies.

  • COVID-19: France to send oxygen generators, containers as part of solidarity mission

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: France on Tuesday announced that it is sending to India oxygen generators, liquid oxygen containers, ventilators and other medical supplies by air and sea to support the country in its fight against surging coronavirus cases.

    The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said it is carrying out an “exceptional solidarity mission” to assist Indian people following a call for support by French President Emmanuel Macron.

    “France and India have always stood by each other’s side in difficult times. This solidarity is at the core of our strategic partnership and the friendship between the Indian and the French peoples,” it said.

    India is reeling under a devastating wave of coronavirus infections and hospitals across the country are facing acute shortage of beds, medical oxygen and other supplies due to rising COVID-19 cases.

    The US, Germany, Britain, Australia, Singapore, Israel and several other countries as well as the World Health Organisation and the European Union have already announced urgent medical assistance to India to help it deal with the situation.

    “At the request of the President of the French Republic, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is fully mobilised to carry out an exceptional solidarity mission in support of the Indian people, who have been severely affected by the COVID-19 epidemic,” the ministry said.

    “Coordinated by the ministry’s Crisis and Support Centre and carried out by the Embassy of France in India, the mission will involve shipping by air and sea freight by the end of this week,” it said in a statement.

    French ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain said the “massive solidarity mission” is being supported by the European Union and French companies present in India.

    “This massive solidarity mission, initiated at Prez @EmmanuelMacron’s request, is supported by French companies present in India and the EU. It aims to both respond to the emergency and boost the long-term resilience of India’s healthcare system,” he said in a tweet.

    The French foreign ministry said the medical supplies will include eight oxygen generators, each capable of uninterrupted supply of oxygen for a 250-bed hospital for nearly 10 years.

    “Each unit can uninterruptedly supply a 250-bed hospital. Its oxygen output can fulfil the needs of 15 critically ill COVID-19 patients in an ICU (or 30 patients in the ICU of a conventional hospital) or 150 patients on oxygen therapy in a conventional hospital facility. These oxygen generators also include ramps for filling oxygen cylinders,” it said.

    The ministry said five containers of liquid medical oxygen are being sent as part of the first instalment, adding they are capable of supplying medical oxygen to up to 10,000 patients per day.

    France is also sending to India 28 ventilators and their consumables, as well as 200 electric syringe pumps.

    The ministry said the supplies are being sent in response to the needs expressed by India’s authorities and they are intended to not only to address the emergency but also to significantly boost capabilities of Indian hospitals to “treat the sick and fight the pandemic”.

    It said the package is part of the support announced on Sunday by the European Union under its Civil Protection Mechanism.

    On Friday, French President Macron expressed solidarity with India and offered his country’s support to it. “I want to send a message of solidarity to the Indian people, facing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. France is with you in this struggle, which spares no-one. We stand ready to provide our support,” Macron said.

  • Five COVID-19 patients die at Haryana private hospital, kin allege oxygen shortage as cause

    By PTI
    HISAR: Five COVID-19 patients, including one from Delhi, died at a private hospital here on Monday with relatives of the deceased holding a protest alleging that they died due to grave shortage of medical oxygen at the facility.

    The five deaths came within 24 hours of two similar incidents in Haryana, wherein eight people died in two private facilities in Rewari and Gurgaon allegedly due to shortage of medical oxygen.

    Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said a magisterial probe has been ordered into the incidents, responding to questions from reporters in Panipat.

    At the same time, he ruled any shortage of medical oxygen in the state.

    Police earlier said they were verifying the allegations of oxygen shortage after relatives of some of the deceased held a protest outside the facility.

    The hospital administration was, however, not available for comments on the matter.

    Three of the patients who died at the hospital hailed from Haryana’s Hisar district and the other two belonged to Delhi and Punjab.

    A police official said the bodies of the deceased were sent to the Agroha Medical College here following protocols and guidelines issued by the government for dealing with those who die of COVID-19.

    Khattar, when asked about the deaths in two private hospitals of Rewari and Gurgaon allegedly due to oxygen shortage, said a magisterial probe has been ordered into these.

    “In Hisar too, a magisterial probe has been ordered to find out whether it (the deaths) happened due to any mismanagement or anything else,” Khattar said, while asserting that “there is no oxygen shortage either in Hisar or at any other place.”

    Earlier in the day, police had been deployed in and around the private hospital in Hisar to prevent any untoward incident.

    Urban Estate Police Station in-charge Jagdish said that they were verifying allegations levelled by the family members of the deceased.

    He, however, said so far they have not received any formal complaint from any of the family members of the deceased alleging any negligence on part of the hospital.

    He also said Hisar’s Chief Medical Officer will investigate the entire incident.

    Any action by the police, if needed, will be taken based on the CMO’s investigation report, the police official added.

    On Sunday, four patients had died at a private hospital in Rewari allegedly due to a shortage of medical oxygen following which the district administration launched an investigation to ascertain the reason behind the deaths.

    The Gurgaon district administration has also ordered a probe into the death of four patients in a private hospital after reports that they died due to alleged oxygen shortage in the facility.

    The hospital authorities in Gurgaon, however, had denied these reports and said those who died were critically ill.

    The opposition Congress, meanwhile, slammed the BJP-JJP led dispensation over the “oxygen shortage” issue.

    “Mr Chief Minister, there is an outcry in Haryana due to oxygen shortage. People are losing their lives. Horrific scenes are being witnessed everywhere. Supply of oxygen to hospitals in Haryana should be made without delay,” state Congress president Kumari Selja said in a tweet on Monday.

    India is struggling with a second wave of the coronavirus infection and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds.

  • PGIMS, Rohtak resumes admission of new COVID patients after a brief halt due to oxygen shortage

    By PTI
    ROHTAK: The PGIMS hospital in Rohtak, which briefly stopped admission of new COVID-19 patients after facing a “shortage” of medical oxygen, resumed admitting them during the day on Monday.

    Officials said patients are now being admitted to the dedicated COVID facility in the institute.

    It had stopped taking new coronavirus patients from Sunday night but started admitting patients by Monday afternoon.

    Earlier in the day, Medical Superintendent Dr Pushpa Dahiya said that nearly 330 COVID patients were admitted to the Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak, a tertiary care centre.

    She earlier said that the institute stopped admitting new patients till further orders.

    “It was on Sunday evening that we sensed an acute shortage of oxygen cylinders. We had to manage patients who were already admitted, most of them requiring high flow oxygen with some ventilator support,” Dahiya said in the morning.

    She said the hospital earlier faced issues in oxygen supply from a plant in Hisar.

    The hospital also gets liquid oxygen from a plant in Bhiwadi in Rajasthan, from where there is a delay in supply in recent days due to a surge in demand with rising coronavirus cases.

    Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar earlier said there was no shortage of oxygen and added that he would look into the issue after he was told that PGIMS here had stopped admitting new COVID patients.

    Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also visited PGIMS, Rohtak during the day.

    Khattar also visited Panipat, Hisar and Faridabad to review the supply of oxygen and facilities for COVID patients, an official statement said.

    At PGIMS, he held a meeting with senior officials of the hospital administration and sought feedback of the work being done to deal with the pandemic.

    The chief minister also took stock of the facilities for the patients undergoing treatment at PGIMS from the institute’s vice chancellor and issued necessary guidelines to them.

    He said that in view of the pandemic, an additional 650 beds are being arranged at PGIMS, Rohtak.

  • ‘Determined to support India in COVID fight, ensure supply of vaccine raw materials’: Biden to Modi

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: US President Joe Biden on Monday expressed solidarity with India in its fight against COVID-19 and asserted that his country was determined to support its efforts by quickly deploying resources like therapeutics, ventilators and identifying sources of raw materials to be made available for the manufacture of Covishield vaccine, according to a statement here.

    Biden expressed the support of the US to India in a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which the two leaders discussed the pandemic situation in their countries, including India’s ongoing efforts to contain a second wave of COVID-19 through expedited vaccination efforts, and ensuring supply of critical medicines, therapeutics and medical equipment.

    Modi also informed Biden about India’s initiative at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a relaxation in the norms of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines and medicines for developing countries, the statement said.

    “Had a fruitful conversation with @POTUS @JoeBiden today. We discussed the evolving COVID situation in both countries in detail. I thanked President Biden for the support being provided by the United States to India.”

    “My discussion with @POTUS @JoeBiden also underscored the importance of smooth and efficient supply chains of vaccine raw materials and medicines. India-US healthcare partnership can address the global challenge of COVID-19,” Modi tweeted.

    According to the statement, Modi conveyed his heartfelt appreciation for the offer of assistance and support from the US.

    He mentioned India’s commitment to contain the COVID-19 pandemic globally through ‘Vaccine Maitri’, and its participation in COVAX and the Quad Vaccine Initiatives.

    Modi underscored the need to ensure smooth and open supply chains of raw materials and inputs required for manufacture of vaccines, medicines, and therapeutics related to COVID-19.

    Both leaders underlined the potential of the India-US partnership in vaccine development and supply to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and directed their respective officials to maintain close coordination and cooperation in their efforts in this domain, the statement said.

    The two leaders agreed to remain in regular touch.

    In Washington, the White House said President Biden pledged steadfast support of his entire administration for the people of India in its fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

    “The President pledged America’s steadfast support for the people of India who have been impacted by the recent surge in COVID-19 cases,” the White House said in a readout of the call between Biden and Modi.

    In response, the United States is providing a range of emergency assistance, including oxygen-related supplies, vaccine materials and therapeutics, the White House said.

    “Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for the strong cooperation between both countries. The two leaders resolved that the United States and India will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the effort to protect our citizens and the health of our communities,” said the readout of the call.

    The US president and his Vice President Kamala Harris had earlier assured India and its people of providing all assistance, including urgently sending necessary medical life-saving supplies and equipment, to help the country combat the deadly coronavirus crisis.

    “Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need,” Biden said in a tweet on Sunday.

    The Biden administration had earlier come under criticism from several quarters, including from members and supporters of the Democratic Party, for its restrictions on the export of key raw materials for the manufacture of COVID-19 vaccine and for not releasing its surplus vaccines to India when the country is experiencing its worst-ever public health crisis.

    Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SII), which is manufacturing Covishield vaccine, had said earlier this month that the US needed to lift its embargo on raw material exports to help ramp up vaccine production.

    The coronavirus situation remained grim in India with the daily COVID-19 infection tally and death toll touching new peaks in the past few days.

    India recorded 3,52,991 cases, the highest so far, taking the infection tally to 1,73,13,163 while active cases have crossed the 28-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.

    The death toll increased to 1,95,123 with a record 2,812 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am on Monday showed.

  • Head constable on poll duty dies due to low oxygen levels in UP

    By PTI
    BALLIA: A 50-year-old head constable deployed for panchayat poll duty died due to low levels of oxygen in the body here on Monday, officials said.

    Whether the deceased, Kamla Singh Yadav (50), was tested positive for COVID-19, was not known, they said.

    He was deployed in the Hussainabad area under Bansdih police station to maintain law and order during the ongoing Uttar Pradesh panchayat polls, Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Yadav said.

    “He complained of breathing difficulties in the morning and was taken to the district hospital where doctors referred him to a bigger hospital,” the officer said.

    The victim was then admitted at a medical centre in Buxar district in the neighbouring state of Bihar, where he died during treatment, the ASP added.

  • No crisis of oxygen in Bengal, says official as state now has worst COVID growth rate in India

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: There is no crisis of medical oxygen in West Bengal and the state has adequate stock of the life-saving gas, a senior state government official said after a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the current spike in COVID-19 cases.

    There is “no question of any crisis in oxygen” at the moment as the state has a daily average production of 457 MT of the gas whereas the requirement is close to 223 MT per day, the official said.

    “There is no crisis of medical oxygen in West Bengal. We have adequate storage of the gas. So there is no question of any crisis,” he told PTI.

    The state is also planning to start supplying oxygen through pipeline to hospitals primarily treating COVID-19 patients, he said.

    The review meeting discussed that there are a total 20,000 beds in the private and the state-run clinical establishments to treat corona patients in the state, the official said.

    Banerjee held the review meeting at the state secretariat after the state Election Commission gave her the nod for it.

    Chief secretary Alapan Bandyapadhyay, home secretary H K Dwidevi and health secretary N S Nigam were present at the meeting, offical sources said.

    The state, at 9.5%, has the highest Covid case growth in the country, data shared by the Union Health Ministry shows.

    West Bengal is followed by Karnataka which has a near explosive growth rate of 9% while Delhi, reeling under a huge medical oxygen crisis, has the second-lowest growth rate at 1.5% after Maharashtra (0.5%), among the surge states.

    The figures showing a stark scenario in West Bengal have been released even as the Centre and the ruling BJP have come under massive criticism for holding huge rallies in the state whose capital, Kolkata at about 50%, is now reporting the highest test positivity rate.

    India, now the worst Covid-hit globally, has been reporting nearly 1,500 or more daily deaths since April 20 and on Sunday, the highest 2,812 fatalities were recorded. On top of these alarming figures, there are concerns that the fatalities due to the infectious disease are being majorly undercounted in most of the cities and towns in the country.

    The country now has 28, 13, 656 active cases of which 3,52,991 cases were registered in the last 24 hours but the Centre has not disclosed the number of people hospitalized, on oxygen support, ICU, or those on ventilators at present.

    In the press briefing on Monday by the Health Ministry, several government authorities including VK Paul, member, Niti Aayog, and Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS (Delhi) stressed that no healthcare infrastructure in the world can take the load of such huge numbers.

    Both Paul and Guleria, senior members of the national Covid task force, urged Covid patients to manage their condition at home under the home isolation protocols by the government unless hospitalization is absolutely required.

    As per the details shared by the Health Ministry, 10 states including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Rajasthan report 74.5% of the new cases.

    Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 66,191. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 35,311 while Karnataka reported 34,804 new cases. The country’s total active caseload now comprises 16.25% of the country’s total positive Case

    A net incline of 1,30,907 cases have been recorded from the total active caseload in the last 24 hours, the government underlined.

    The details showed that 8 states–Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Kerala cumulatively account for 69.67% of India’s total active cases.

    (With ENS Inputs)

  • Air India to bring 600 oxygen concentrators from US in next two days for private entities

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Air India will bring around 600 oxygen concentrators on its two US-India flights in the next two days, aviation industry sources said on Sunday.

    These oxygen concentrators have been ordered by private entities, the sources mentioned.

    Various hospitals across the country continue to grapple with a severe shortage of medical oxygen on Sunday even after receiving emergency supplies.

    Twenty people died at Delhi’s Jaipur Golden Hospital on Saturday amid a shortage of oxygen.

    Sources said Air India plans to bring around 10,000 oxygen concentrators for private entities in the coming weeks.

    When asked about this matter, Air India spokesperson said the airline is prepared to shoulder the responsibility of carrying oxygen concentrators or any consignment into India.

    “Obviously, Air India with its experience of international operations and wide-body fleet is fully capable of carrying a large volume of cargo consignments,” the spokesperson mentioned.

    “It goes without saying that we will continue to play a major role in transporting oxygen (equipment) and serve our nation in whatever role assigned to us,” the spokesperson said.

    A record single-day rise of 3,46,786 coronavirus cases pushed India’s tally of infection to 1,66,10,481, while active cases crossed the 25-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday.

    The death toll rose to 1,89,544 with a record 2,624 more fatalities in a day, the data updated at 8 am showed.

  • ‘Symptomatic treatment at home enough against COVID’: Experts warn against hoarding of oxygen, remdesivir

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Noting that hoarding of oxygen and injections like remdesivir is leading to panic and creating their shortage in market, top health experts on Sunday said COVID-19 is a mild infection and that for 85-90 per cent people only symptomatic treatment at home is enough.

    They also stressed that vaccines and COVID-appropriate behaviour together can break the chain of transmission.

    On the shortage of oxygen and medicines, AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said that hoarding of oxygen and injections like remdesivir in homes is creating panic and causing a shortage of these medicines.

    “COVID-19 is a mild infection and 85-90 per cent people will only suffer from cold, fever, sore throat and bodyache. Only symptomatic treatment at home is enough to ride through these infections and there is no need for oxygen or remdesivir,” he was quoted as saying in a Health Ministry statement.

    He added that 10-15 per cent of patients with severe infection may need oxygen, remdesivir or plasma etc, while less than 5 per cent need ventilators or intensive care.

    Furthermore, Dr Guleria clarified that remdesivir neither reduces the hospital stay nor saves lives.

    In moderate to severe cases, it may be able to reduce hospital stay but if administered in mild cases it can complicate matters.

    Remdesivir is no magic bullet and it is used in hospitals for moderate to severe cases, he said.

    On administration of oxygen to those who don’t need it, Dr Guleria said that people who have oxygen saturation above 94 do not need the gas as increase in oxygen saturation beyond this level would not increase oxygen in blood.

    However, this can cause shortage in supply of oxygen and will reduce access to oxygen for serious cases, the statement said.

    Dr Guleria along with Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta, Dr Navneet Wig, Head of Department of Medicines, AIIMS and Dr Sunil Kumar, Director General Health Services addressed concerns and issues related to COVID-19.

    Dr Trehan, while speaking on the steps to be taken immediately after a positive RT-PCR test, said that the people should first contact local or family doctors.

    All doctors are aware of the protocol to be followed and can recommend courses of medication for patients who should isolate themselves at home.

    He also advised yoga and pranayam which are help maintain lung health and added that pronation is also helpful, the statement said.

    Dr Trehan reiterated the importance of double masking, distancing and hand hygiene and said the mask should seal the air passage around the nose and mouth for proper protection.

    He also recommended staying away from crowded places.

    On oxygen demand, he said it has suddenly risen in the current crisis and manufacturing facilities are stretched for supplies.

    Industries have the capacity but lack cryo-transportation.

    The government is actively working on this and the situation will be under control in the next five to seven days, he was quoted as saying in the statement.

    Dr Sunil Kumar addressed the topic of preparations of the government to mitigate the situation and said that from no preparedness last year, it ramped up capacity to a unique level very soon.

    Over 2,500 laboratories were created where only one existed before the pandemic, he said, adding,”we increased our testing capability to lakhs of tests per day, ramped up tracking and contact tracing and manufacturing of PPE kits et al.”

    Reiterating the importance of getting vaccinated, Dr Sunil said there are negligible side effects of vaccines, and that vaccines and COVID-appropriate behaviour together can break the chain of transmission, the statement said.

    Dr Navneet said there is a need to save healthcare workers who will in-turn save patients.

    “To save our healthcare workers we need to break the chain and reduce the number of infections. To break the chain is a responsibility of all sections of society but foremost it is the responsibility of the people to undertake COVID-appropriate behaviour,” the statement quoted him as saying.