Audit of 10 of 11 deaths reported so far this year finds COVID-19 as ‘incidental finding’

The State Health Department’s death audit committee that audited all COVID-19 deaths this year so far has found COVID-19 to be an incidental finding in 10 of the 11 deaths. The audit of one death is pending and will be completed by Thursday.

The State Health Department’s death audit committee that audited all COVID-19 deaths this year so far has found COVID-19 to be an incidental finding in 10 of the 11 deaths. The audit of one death is pending and will be completed by Thursday.

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.