New Delhi: Amid rising cases of coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh, Union Minister Santosh Gangwar has written to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighting Covid management in the state. In the letter, he has complained that the officials of the Health Department in Bareilly do not pick up the phone. He has also given some suggestions to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister to fix the health services in the state, reports Times Now's Amir Haque.

He has suggested that oxygen plants should be set up in Bareilly like Madhya Pradesh where the government is giving a 50 per cent rebate in setting up oxygen plants to ease in dealing with the increased demand for oxygen in the state The central minister has also mentioned that BiPAP machines, ventilators and other medical equipment used in hospitals are being "black marketed and sold at higher prices". He also suggested that prices of medical equipment should be capped, while private hospitals registered under MSME should be given a discount.

"I have come to know that there is an oxygen shortage in Bareilly as many people have hoarded oxygen cylinders as a precautionary measure in their homes. Such people should be identified because the oxygen cylinders are not reaching the needy. Such people are selling these cylinders at higher prices," he said in the letter.

UP extends partial Covid curfew till May 17 Earlier today, the Uttar Pradesh government extended the curfew imposed in the state till May 17 to curb the spread of coronavirus. During this period, all essential services will be allowed and vaccination drive will continue, stated Sehgal. It was also decided to intensify the sanitisation drive in all the 75 districts, informed the Additional Chief Secretary Navneet Sehgal.

Uttar Pradesh reported 26,847 fresh Covid-19 cases and 298 deaths on Saturday, as per the state health bulletin. With this, the state's infection count has gone up to 14,80,315. The death toll in the state stands at 15,170.