Media reports claiming COVID-19 mortality higher than official counts are Speculative: Health Ministry

The Government of India has clarified that media reports based on a published research paper alleging that death data has been underreported in India is baseless and false. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also said India has a robust mechanism for reporting Covid-19 deaths.

“There have been some media reports based on a published research paper alleging that mortality due to COVID19 in India is much higher than the official count and actual numbers have been undercounted. The study estimates that people between 3.2 million to 3.7 million have died from COVID19 by early Nov 2021 in the country, as compared to official figures of Nov 2021 of 0.46 million (4.6 lakhs),” the Ministry has clarified.

It further said, “As has been stated earlier for similar media reports, it is again clarified that these reports are fallacious and completely inaccurate. They are not based on facts and are speculative in nature.”

The Ministry has claimed that India has a robust system of reporting deaths including COVID-19 deaths that is compiled regularly at different levels of governance starting from the Gram Panchayat level to the District-level and State level.

“The reporting of deaths is regularly done in a transparent manner. All deaths are compiled by the Centre after being independently reported by States. Based on globally acceptable categorization, Government of India has a comprehensive definition to classify COVID deaths which has been shared with the States and the States are following it,” the Ministry has claimed.

It added, “Furthermore, Government of India has been urging States to update their mortality numbers in case if certain deaths are not reported in time at the field level, and hence remains completely dedicated in getting the correct picture of the pandemic related deaths. Government of India has urged States and UTs through several formal communications, multiple video conferences and through deployment of many Central teams for correct recording of deaths in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.”