Gov't eyes regulating sale of oxygen tanks amid Delta variant threat

The government is considering regulating the sale of oxygen tanks in light of the possible surge of COVID-19 cases due to the more transmissible Delta variant, a Department of Health (DOH) official said Tuesday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, in a TV interview, said this was discussed during a meeting on Monday.

"Kahapon po nagkaroon ng pagpupulong, tinitignan natin kung paano mare-regulate ang pagbebenta ng oxygen tanks [We held a meeting yesterday and we are looking into regulating the sale of oxygen tanks]," Vergeire told Unang Balita in an interview.

Vergeire said this is to ensure that only those in need of oxygen tanks would be able to buy them.

"So dapat prescribed siya [it should be prescribed]," she said.

Vergeire also said the DOH and the Department of Trade and Industry are already talking with manufacturers of oxygen tanks to ramp up production in case of a surge in demand.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had earlier urged the Philippines to increase oxygen supplies needed to treat COVID-19.

The government has also issued stern warnings against hoarders of oxygen supplies.

The DOH on Monday said the Philippines is once again classified as a high-risk area for COVID-19 as cases nationwide rose by 47% in the last two weeks.  —KBK, GMA News