हिंदी
Busting Myths of COVID-19
States have been advised to report Covid deaths in accordance with prescribed guidelines
Delhi 11 JUN 2021
There were some media reports recently alleging misreporting of deaths due to Covid in India, and a sudden hike in the number of daily deaths.
It is clarified that the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare reported a total of 6148 deaths on 10th June 2021. This spike in deaths was on account of 3971 deaths reported by Bihar on that date is on account of reconciliation done by the State.
As early as May 2020, to avoid inconsistency or confusion in the number of deaths being reported, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) issued ‘Guidance for appropriate recording of COVID-19 related deaths in India’ for correct recording of all deaths by States/UTs as per ICD-10 codes recommended by WHO for mortality coding.
States and UTs have been advised repeatedly through formal communications, multiple video conferences and through deployment of Central teams for recording of deaths in accordance with laid down guidelines.
The Union Health Ministry has regularly emphasized the need for a robust reporting mechanism for monitoring district wise cases and deaths on a daily basis. In the instant case, the Union Government has written to the State of Bihar to provide a detailed date and district wise break-up of the reconciled number of deaths to the Union Health Ministry.
