Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 5

The UT Administration claims that 275 persons died due to Covid in the month of May, but the total number of death certificates issued in the city was double the number of certificates issued in the corresponding period last year.

According to the data procured from the birth and child registration department, a total of 1,212 death certificates were issued in May last year against 2,517 issued in the month this year. The number of death certificates issued in April this year also witnessed a significant rise. While 1,888 death certificates were issued this year, the count was 1,156 last year.

On the contrary, there was no major difference in the figures for the month of March.

It was on March 19, 2020, that the first Covid case was reported from the city.

The family of deceased has to apply for a certificate within 21 days of the death. The total number of deaths in each month includes those dying of Covid, natural deaths, accidents, suicides, etc. In the past two months, there has also been no significant number of road fatalities. Also, there were not many heinous crimes like murder reported from the city.

MC Medical Officer of Health Dr Amrit Pal Warring, who heads the registration wing, said, “The major difference in the figures is mainly because of registration of deaths of persons from other states, who died in the UT. People of different states are referred to the PGI and in case of death, whether Covid or otherwise, are registered in the city. In May last year, due to restrictions and fear, most people avoided coming to the city hospitals.”

RK Garg, a city-based RTI activist, said, “The number of deaths has doubled. It is shocking. Is the UT Administration hiding Covid deaths? There seems to be some irregularity and the data needs to be verified. The PGI gets referrals throughout the year. How come so many patients from outside died in the city last month. Why March of 2020 and 2021 has similar death figures?”

Dr JS Thakur, Chairman, Covid-19 Prevention and IEC Committee at the PGI, said, “As per epidemiological assessment, proportion of deaths of outsiders and city residents should be taken into consideration. Also, cause of deaths should be analysed before drawing any conclusion.”