District COVID deaths exceed Odisha’s official toll

Only 6 of 19 deaths from Nuapada COVID hospital audited

Despite COVID-19 infections rising sharply and a large number of consequential deaths in different districts, the consolidated information disseminated by the Odisha government has put the toll lower. Since April 1, the State government has reported 32 deaths caused by COVID-19 infections from across 30 districts. However, information trickling in from districts on fatalities is at variance. In Nuapada alone, for instance, as many as 19 persons have died in the district COVID hospital since April 6. “As many as 19 patients, who were admitted in our centre, have died. Only six deaths have been audited,” said Sudhir Ranjan Nayak, who heads the Nuapada COVID-19 hospital. As per government protocol, the deaths will be attributed to COVID-19 only after reason behind each death is properly examined.