Covid: ‘Suspected O2-related death’ reported by only 1 state, says govt

NEW DELHI: Only one state has reported suspected deaths due to oxygen shortage while none of the others have reported such cases so far, the Centre said amid a raging controversy over classification of Covid-19 deaths during the second wave.

“States were asked if there have been oxygen-related deaths. When the question was raised in Parliament, they were specifically asked this question. As per reports we have till now, one state has referred to a suspected case and others have not said if there have been any oxygen related deaths,” Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry, said. He didn’t mention which state had reported the “suspected oxygen-related death”.

He said that the Indian Council of Medical Research has specific norms based on WHO framework about classification of Covid-19 deaths and the Centre has been stressing upon states for timely reporting and audit of deaths, which is crucial to management of all infectious diseases, including Covid-19.

The comments came in the wake of the Centre telling Rajya Sabha that no death due to lack of oxygen has been specifically reported by states. The Centre maintained that analysis of Covid deaths is significant and it has continuously engaged with states to secure information about them.

“We have also asked states to analyse how many deaths have happened in home isolation, within 24 hours of hospitalisation, within 48 hours, 72 hours and how many have happened even after that,” he said.