In Maharashtra, as many as 78 people who died of unnatural causes this January, were counted among COVID casualties when their posthumously drawn nasal swabs tested positive at 20 state-run hospitals and medical colleges, the Times of India has reported. Unnatural deaths arise from a gamut of reasons including hanging, homicide, electrocution, snake bites, drowning, poisoning, and road accidents. 

As per TOI, the data from the state medical education and drug department (MEDD) shows these deaths contributing to the state’s COVID mortality tally. 

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Further, TOI reported a senior MEDD official saying, “Since the pandemic is far from over, we have to test every patient brought dead, including those who apparently died of unnatural causes, for Covid-19. If they test positive, their deaths are enumerated as Covid casualties”. 

The official reportedly explained that even when someone dies of systemic illnesses or conditions like heart disease or strokes, there is no conclusive proof that the virus isn’t behind it. However, in the case of unnatural deaths, it’s evident that COVID is not the cause of the fatality. However, “they tested positive, and their deaths were included in Covid casualties as per the norm”, TOI quoted the official. 

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There were 880 COVID-related deaths in state-run facilities in January 2022. However, the attribution of unnatural deaths to COVID swelled these numbers by 9% as per the TOI report. 

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As per state protocol, people who die of unnatural causes are subjected to a rapid antigen test.

Meanwhile, the country reported 34,113 fresh COVID-19 cases and 346 deaths in the past 24 hours. As per the government’s announcement in February, omicron is now the dominant variant in India. The daily positivity rate now stands at 3.19%. 

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The country’s active cases have reached 4,78,882, comprising 1.12% of the total caseload. However, the overall COVID-19 condition in the country has improved, which is partly due to the mass vaccination drive started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In total, 1,72,95,87,490 COVID vaccine doses have been administered thus far.