Ten of 11 deaths in state not due to Covid, says Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao

Bengaluru: Of the 11 Covid-related deaths that have occurred in the state so far, state health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that ten were not directly due to Covid.

Speaking after a review meeting held with the Chief Minister on Wednesday, Rao clarified that the death audits of ten of the deceased have come out, and it was found that they died due to comorbidities, where a Covid positive status was an incidental finding.

"I want to clarify that no deaths have occurred directly because of Covid... Covid has a mild effect on people, however, we are taking all the precautionary measures," said Rao.

Senior officials, including the health minister, Chief Minister's Political Secretary Nasir Ahmed, Chief Secretary to the Government Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Anjum Parvez, were present at the meeting held at the CM's residence.

CM Siddaramaiah instructed the officials to clearly specify the cause of death -- whether it is due to Covid or not -- to avoid a panic situation among the public. He directed the Health Department and the Medical Education Department to coordinate, whilst also investigating complaints of private hospitals unnecessarily charging high fees in the name of Covid testing and taking appropriate action.

Over the past 10 days, the health department has conducted over 5,000 Covid tests, he added. Testing has increased five-fold, with nearly 500 tests every day, especially for people who have SARI (severe acute respiratory infection), and the positivity rate is around 8 per cent, said the minister.

According to the death audit report, ten of the 11 people died due to other fatal diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease, or organ failure; Covid was not the cause. The death audit of one more victim is pending.

Rao emphasised that the department has taken necessary measures. "There is no need to panic. We have increased testing, and the necessary medication is also being supplied (to hospitals). Oxygen, beds, are all kept ready. The situation is under control, there are no restrictions for movement, daily living. People can continue to live their lives normally," he said.

28 new cases reported

Twenty-eight new positive cases of Covid were reported on Wednesday, bringing the state cumulative figure since January 1 to 1,315. Of this, 847 people have recovered. In the past 24 hours, 619 tests were conducted, with a positivity rate of 4.5%. Of the 467 active Covid cases in the state, 463 are isolating at home. Three patients are in private hospitals while one patient has been admitted to the ICU in a government hospital.