Why those Covid-19 deaths do not figure on ‘oxygen shortage’ list

The Centre's response in Parliament has triggered a controversy with the health ministry saying no death due to lack of oxygen had been reported by any state or UT. Even when the SC termed it “a national crisis”, why haven't states reported oxygen shortage-related death. We take a look.

Covid death or no death, accounted or un-accounted death, reported or under-reported figures, controversy is going around in the country since first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. It is unlikely to die down soon. Now, the central government’s reply in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday has triggered a fresh controversy as the health ministry said no death due to lack of oxygen reported had been specially reported by any state or Union Territory.