Covid-19 crisis: Oxygen output up but logistics hurdles remain SECTIONS Share Synopsis Top steel companies and oxygen producers have ramped up production of the gas to meet high demand from hospitals amid the surge in Covid-19 cases and an increasing number of patients requiring oxygen support. Diverting industrial oxygen for medical use is hurting the output of finished steel, but the companies say saving lives is more important. PTI There is a shortage of cylinders and vessels to transport the oxygen to cities where it is in high demand, though introduction of the Oxygen Express trains and other government measures have helped ease the situation, the producers say.