With Covid-19 infections at their highest levels since the start of the pandemic, lines to replenish medical oxygen cylinders are getting longer and longer in the Guadalajara metropolitan area.
This Wednesday, by 7 a.m., more than 150 people had lined up outside Infra Medica on Avenida Dr. R. Michel, many of them waiting throughout the night. The same scene was repeated at other Guadalajara businesses that distribute and replenish oxygen tanques.
While companies confirm there is plenty of oxygen still available, they are concerned by a shortage of cylinders, which they say are either not being returned by family members of Covid patients who rented out them, or are being hoarded by speculators.
This shortage has led to a rapid surge in price gouging, news reports suggest. Some oxygen cylinders advertised for sale on the internet are being quoted at two to three times their regular retail price.
Two metro-area firms consulted by the Reporter said they had no cylinders either for sale or hire.
Sebastián Hernández Méndez, head of the Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, urged citizens who believe they are being charged excessively for oxygen or cylinders to file complaints at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 555-568-8722.