By Rob Cockerill, Global Managing Editor2021-04-19T09:49:00+01:00
News has emerged in the last few hours that new restrictions are to be implemented in India to manage the application of oxygen supply and prioritise use for medical purposes, as the country continues to grapple with Covid-19.
Several states across India are understood to be flagging oxygen shortages as Covid cases surge, with the government announcing that oxygen supply will now be restricted to just nine industries.
From later this week (Thursday 22
nd), industrial oxygen supply will be restricted to those entities involved in refilling cylinders, the pharma sector, steel plants, oil refineries, wastewater treatment, food and water treatment, nuclear energy facilities and continuous production sites that must keep processes running.
Whilst such news triggered various reports, which highlighted the need for accelerated vaccine rollout, the shocking figures led to Asad Umar, Federal Minister for Planning and Development and Head of the National Command Operations Centre (NCOC), reporting that oxygen supply in the country is “now under stress”.
Umar’s statement on oxygen supply broke just hours ago. Within his announcement, Umar stated, “Hospital fill up continuing to grow. Critical care patients now above 4500, which is 30% higher than peak in June last year. Oxygen supply capacity in the country is now under stress. Sop compliance remains low. We are making a huge mistake by not following sop’s.”
Linde reported income from continuing operations of $769m and diluted earnings per share of $1.45.
Excluding Linde AG purchase accounting impacts and other charges, adjusted income from continuing operations was $1.2bn, up 19% versus prior year and 7% sequentially.
Commenting on the financial results and business outlook, CEO Steve Angel said, “I want to personally thank all our dedicated Linde employees for ensuring a safe and reliable supply of critical gases and services to our customers and patients worldwide.”
“The company responded exceptionally well in a challenging year dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic and I couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished and continue to do for our shareholders and society at large.”