Audit of 10 of 11 deaths reported so far this year finds COVID-19 as ‘incidental finding'
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who on Wednesday reviewed the COVID-19 situation in the State, said that officials had informed him that the 10 victims had been hospitalised for various co-morbid conditions and did not die from COVID-19.
'The COVID-19 positivity was only an incidental finding. and the cause of death is attributed to other co-morbid conditions. The situation is not alarming as of now and I have directed the Health and Medical Education Departments to work in coordination and get every COVID-19 death audited,' the Chief Minister said.
The audit was conducted following a recommendation by the State's Technical Advisory Committee (STAC).
The Chief Minister said that COVID-19 testing had been increased in the State since May. From the beginning of this month, over 500 tests are being done daily. 'Over 5,000 tests have been conducted in the last 10 days and 862 positive cases have been detected. I have directed the officials to ensure that all hospitals are prepared to treat COVID-19 cases appropriately. There is no need to panic as the situation is under control,' he said.
The Chief Minister, who said there have been complaints that private hospitals are unnecessarily fleecing people in the name of COVID-19 tests, directed officials to ensure people are not put to hardship.
As many as 28 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours taking the total number of active cases to 467. Of these, four are being treated in hospitals.
COVID-19 death to be declared only after audit
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said following the Chief Minister's directions every COVID-19 death will henceforth be audited to find out if it was owing to COVID-19 or from complications of their co-morbid conditions. 'It has been decided in the Chief Minister's meeting that henceforth a COVID-19 death should be declared only after an audit to avoid unnecessary panic,' he said.
He said the number of positive cases are increasing as testing has been increased. 'The test positivity rate is around 8%. We are testing all Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases and 5% of ILI cases. All our hospitals are prepared to handle a surge in cases, if any, and there is no need for people to panic. They can continue their routine life without any fear. However, there is a need to follow COVID-19 precautions, especially in closed spaces and crowded areas,' he said.
State likely to cap COVID-19 test price
The Health Department is considering if there is a need to cap the price of COVID-19 tests in private hospitals. 'We have learnt that private hospitals are prescribing a panel of other expensive tests along with COVID-19 test, which is unnecessary. We have received several complaints and are deliberating with experts if there is a need to cap the prices. A decision in this regard is likely to be taken in a day or two,' said Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare).
On the death audit, Mr. Gupta said the victims who had been admitted for their comorbid conditions, had developed SARI owing to fluid accumulation in their lungs. This fluid accumulation was because of underlying chronic kidney disease or heart issues and not due to COVID-19, he explained.
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