Shivalik
The Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) alleged that there was a “discrepancy” in the total number of reported cases and low surveillance and tracking in West Bengal. They blamed the state government for having the highest mortality rate of 12.8 per cent for coronavirus in the country against just 816 COVID-19 patients.
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The Central team also said that there were “limited field visits” by the state government. “The state government has taken an antagonistic view to the IMCT and has not supported the IMCT in the performance of its duties,” read the report.
The team also said that their experience in Bengal was different from the experience of the IMCTs in other states.
“The mortality rate of 12.8 % is by far the highest in the country. This extremely high mortality rate is a clear indication of low testing and weak surveillance and tracking,” the report read.
“A discrepancy has been brought out in the number of Covid cases reported by the state in its medical bulletins and its communication with the government of India, said the report.
“While the state has claimed very high level of daily surveillance of individuals in containment zones, no database was shown or results made available,” it added.
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A report will be submitted by the team to the union home ministry later today.
So far, there are more than 42,000 cases of COVID-19 in India. Even as the country enters Lockdown 3.0, cases continue to rise. However, the third extension of the nationwide lockdown brings with it a relatively relaxed set of rules.
