iNDICA NEWS BUREAU
Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that California will send lifesaving oxygen equipment to India as that country faces a devastating and fast-spreading surge of Covid-19 cases.
“When communities across the world need help, California steps up,” Governor Newsom was quoted as saying. “As we surpass 28 million vaccinations and continue to see the lowest positivity rates in the country, we must meet this moment with compassion by aiding those that are hardest hit by this pandemic.
“Everyone deserves quality medical treatment against this terrible disease, and California will answer the call and provide aid to the people of India who so desperately need it.”
Specifically, California will send 275 oxygen concentrators, 440 oxygen cylinders, 240 oxygen regulators, 210 pulse oximeters and a Deployable Oxygen Concentrator Systems (DOCS).
The distribution is being coordinated through the US Agency for International Development and will be provided directly to healthcare providers and front-line workers.
India reported nearly 350,000 new cases on Sunday, the largest single day total of cases ever recorded by a single country.
California’s contributions come as part of a wider effort by the United States to fight the spread of Covid-19 in India.
On Sunday, the Biden administration pledged to provide more medical aid to the country, including raw materials for vaccine production, test kits, ventilators and PPE.
Even while providing these needed supplies to India, California still maintains a robust state stockpile to rapidly respond to any additional outbreaks that may occur within the state, the governor said.
Previously, Governor Newsom loaned ventilators to Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada and Delaware and also sent millions of items of PPE to neighboring states along the West Coast.