Government officials say the discrepancy in death tallies may be caused by several factors, including over-caution.Ī senior state health official said the increase in numbers of cremations had been due to bodies being cremated using Covid protocols “even if there is 0.1% probability of the person being positive.”
Reliable data is at the heart of any government response to the pandemic, without which planning for hospital vacancies, oxygen and medicine becomes difficult, experts say.
Its total number of cases now stands at more than 15 million, second only to the United States. India on Monday registered a record 273,810 new daily infections and 1,619 deaths. The world's biggest vaccine producer is running out of Covid-19 vaccines, as second wave accelerates (Photo by Satish Bate/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) Satish Bate/Hindustan Times/Getty Images MUMBAI, INDIA - APRIL 8: A public notice hangs outside a vaccination centre notifying shortage of vaccines, in Mahim, on Apin Mumbai, India.
