Accurate reporting of COVID-19 deaths needed for future studies, availing government relief: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court on Friday issued notice in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition which raised concern over the reporting of COVID-19 deaths (HA Shrirajalakshmi v. The Chief Secretary to Government and ors)..Opining that the issue raised is important, the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy has requested the Tamil Nadu government to give its preliminary report on this issue in two weeks' time, when the matter appears next. .All over the country there are grievances that all deaths that have been caused by the pandemic may not have been appropriately recorded, the Court noted in its interim order today. .The Bench added that in Tamil Nadu, there are reports that unless a COVID-19 positive test report was issued in respect of the patient, the subsequent death would not be recorded as a COVID-19 death..The Court went on to briefly comment on why it is important to properly attribute the deaths of those who succumbed to COVID-19. .Apart from the fact that the accurate reporting of COVID-19 deaths would help in future studies, the immediate concern in some cases is that the relief for the families of persons who died due to COVID-19 may not be available unless cause of death is attributed to COVID-19, the Court pointed out. .The Bench also made pertinent observations about attributing death to COVID-19 where the patient suffered from co-morbidities. .In this regard, the Bench explained that while a COVID-19 patient may die of a heart attack, it may not be appropriately be attributed to just a heart attack. Rather, the real cause of death ought to be attributed to the underlying reason for the heart to be attacked, the Court said. .This ought to be the approach for COVID-19 patients who also suffer from other comorbidities, the Court went on to observe. To this end, appropriate steps may have to be taken by a specialized team, the Bench opined. .The Court added that, if necessary, it would also be fit and proper for death certificates already issued to be revised if only not to deny the relief due to those who succumbed to COVID-19 through the several schemes announced by the State and Central governments. .Advocate General R Shunmugasundaram took notice for the State today. The Court has expressed hope that the State would make available a preliminary report on the issue by the next hearing, before the matter can be dealt with in detail..The Court has also directed that a copy of the plea be served on the Additional Soliticitor General's office so that the Centre may give its response. Advocate T Mohan appeared for the petitioner..“This has to be looked into, something done. We need reports for our scientific data, research purposes and also for immediate purpose," Chief Justice Banerjee told the AG today before adjourning the matter. .The matter will be taken up next on June 28. .[Read the Order]