State Ministry of Health says bulk back-reporting by state skewed key pandemic monitoring indicators
State Ministry of Health says bulk back-reporting by state skewed key pandemic monitoring indicators
The Center has asked for the updated COVID-19 data daily stating that the bulk back-reporting after April 13 (a gap of five days) has skewed India’s key pandemic monitoring indicators, including cases, deaths and positivity rates.
“It has been observed that Kerala has reported its state-level COVID-19 data after a gap of five days [since April 13]. India’s key monitoring indicators of this impacted and skewed status are such cases, deaths and positivity. India has reported 90% increase in new cases and 165% increase in positivity in a single day, ”said Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal in his two-page communication.
He added that daily and diligent reporting of data were critical in reaching a meaningful understanding of the pandemic situation and not only in tracking and monitoring but also in defining the strategies and plans at the center, state and district levels.
A regular and robust reporting mechanism for emphasizing the need for state-wise cases and deaths on a daily basis, the letter stated that the government has been able to obtain relevant data daily. at the national level.
‘Data key’
Mr. Agarwal said the reporting of data was critical in reaching a critical understanding of the pandemic in the district, state and national levels and ensuring that any anomalies, surgeries or emerging trends could be captured in a timely manner.
“This is particularly relevant as it is a highly infectious disease and also has new variants of associated risk. India’s fight against pandemic in quick and continuous update of data, ”the letter stated.
The Center has now asked for a daily update.
Kerala has reported 213 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours, according to data updated at 8 am on Monday. The Supreme Court and the remaining 150 deaths were reported on April 13 to 16, according to the new guidelines based on appeals received after the COVID-19 deaths. to the Union Health Ministry.
‘No longer needed’
In the meantime, the government of Kerala, after issuing a period of 800 days of issuing COVID daily bulletins, on April 11.
The briefing issued by the Office of the Health Minister stated that the daily bulletins were no longer considered necessary State of COVID transmission There was a level wherein it was not unmanageable and there were no different transmission rates of other infectious diseases.
The department maintained that COVID data would be as well as monitored as usual and that it was only the daily bulletin that was being stopped. At the meeting of the State Rapid Response Team, it was mooted that the State may adopt a system of publishing a fortnightly report, which may be shared in the public domain.
However, public health experts have pointed out at the time that the state had to maintain transparency in COVID reporting and that data had been made available to the public domain.
Reacting to the Center’s Letter to the Principal Secretary of Health (Health) The World Health Organization (WHO) also reported that the Health Ministry was obliged to give a report.
The number of daily COVID cases reported in the state of Gaps is one of the highest number of daily COVID cases reported in the country.
