The mayor of Orlando, Florida, is asking residents to conserve water, as the increase in COVID-19 cases has caused a lack of liquid oxygen.
“Due to the continued increase in COVID-19, nationally and in the city of Orlando, the OUC is experiencing an unprecedented event and needs the assistance of the community,” the mayor of Orlando said. Buddy Dyer (D), in a press release, WESH 2 reported.
The mayor said the liquid oxygen used in hospitals for patients with COVID-19 is the same liquid oxygen used to treat the city’s water supply.
Linda Ferrone, chief customer and marketing manager for the Orlando Utilities Commission, said the city already has little liquid oxygen, as it typically receives 10 containers a week, but is limited to five containers due to the lack of oxygen across the country.
Residents have been asked to limit water use, as there may not be enough liquid oxygen to treat all the water needed at current city consumption levels.
“I know our community, working together, can overcome that,” Dyer said. “We always come together in the face of adversity and I know we will unite to be part of that effort.”
The city will limit the amount of water it uses to maintain parks and other outdoor areas, according to the local dam.
“To assist the City of Orlando in its application to reduce water consumption, Orlando Health will attempt to implement a combination of manageable water conservation measures across our health system. These measures will have minimal impact. in the operations of our health system and will be continuously evaluated and adjusted as necessary to ensure the best use of our resources according to the needs of our patients, ”Orlando Health said in a statement.
The mayor also discussed vaccination, saying it was the only way out of this wave.
“It’s another result of what happens when people don’t get vaccinated, get critically ill, and require medical treatment,” Dyer said. “If you haven’t been vaccinated, now is the time.”