Covid Case Surge in Singapore and Hong Kong
Recent increases in Covid cases have been observed in both Singapore and Hong Kong. Health authorities speculate this may be due to waning immunity and fewer booster shots among the elderly.
India's Response and Civil Registration System (CRS) Report 2021
India is currently monitoring these developments closely. Importantly, the 2021 Civil Registration System (CRS) report has been released, highlighting significant insights into mortality during the pandemic.
Key Findings of the CRS Report
- The report indicates a significant rise in deaths in India during 2021, with approximately 25.8 lakh more deaths registered compared to 2019.
- When adjusted for natural population growth over two years, the excess deaths stand at around 20 lakh, which is almost six times the official Covid death toll of 3.3 lakh for 2021.
- This discrepancy aligns with the World Health Organization's (WHO) lower estimate range for excess deaths due to Covid in 2021, which spans between 26.6 lakh and 54.8 lakh.
Challenges in Accurate Death Counting
- Many countries, including India, have struggled to accurately count pandemic-related deaths due to factors such as missed testing, patchy registration, and delayed publication of all-cause mortality data.
- In India, approximately half of all deaths occur at home, and many are not medically certified or registered.
Importance of Accurate Data
- Reliable information on death and disease is essential for improving health outcomes and ensuring justice.
- The new CRS data supports ongoing legal battles by family members since 2022, alleging a spike in excess deaths post-vaccination.
- Without credible data, India faces the risk of being ill-prepared for future public health challenges.
