RIVERSIDE – (INT) – Oxygen is in shorter supply as hospitals struggle to meet the needs of patients stricken with the COVID-19 virus.

The state Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) has established an oxygen depot with a centrally-located generator in Riverside County to fill oxygen tanks.

“COVID patients need lots of oxygen and that’s taxing the entire healthcare system,” Bruce Barton, Riverside County Emergency Management Department (EMD) Director said.

The oxygen depot is comprised of two large oxygen generators that will fill the large tanks used by hospitals and will augment the oxygen supply locally and in surrounding counties 24 hours a day.

The exact location of the oxygen depot was not disclosed in Thursday’s announcement by the EMD, but it is centrally located to assist the needs of neighboring counties.

Story Date: January 28, 2021