STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The 'State Death Audit Committee' has come across two types of deaths among COVID-positive patients in the State. Giving details, Chairman of the Committee Dr Anup Kumar Barman told The Sentinel, "While going through the death reports, we found that some of the cases were directly related to COVID-19. On the other hand, there were also a few cases where though the patient was COVID-19, his/her death was not directly related to COVID. Such patients already suffer from some earlier ailments like cancer or those affecting the kidney or the heart among others. Such COVID patients could have become victims to these diseases as well."
He further said, "COVID-19 directly affects the lungs; and such patients experience problems in breathing. In simple language, we term these symptoms as 'COVID pneumonia'. So, one of the prime concerns of the 'State Death Audit Committee' is to ascertain whether the death of corona-positive patient was actually due to 'COVID pneumonia' or some other causes.
"According to the guidelines of ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), if a death is not due to 'COVID pneumonia', we cannot include it in the COVID-19 toll list. However, we must include a death in the toll list if the patient indicated symptoms of COVID pneumonia."
Throwing more light on the incidences of corona cases in Guwahati, Dr Barman said, "Since the first week of July, the number of patients suffering from serious COVID-19 symptoms has increased. However before July, 95% of the total registered corona-positive patients in the city were asymptomatic (showing no recognized symptoms of coronavirus).
"Though there are many asymptomatic patients now also; we've noticed a dangerous trend among the symptomatic COVID-19 patients. We've come across a few cases where the patient suddenly encounters breathing problems; and collapses within about two hours. This happens in such a short space of time, that doctors do not even get time to respond."
The committee was constituted by the State government as per the guidelines of ICMR. The State government's order dated July 12, 2020 states: ln view of outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the Health & Family Welfare Department constituted the 'State Death Audit Committee' with Dr Anup Kumar Barman, Director of Medical Education, Assam, as its Chairman; and the Additional Director of Health Services (Hills)-cum-Nodal Officer, Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, is its Member Secretary. The other two members of the panel are the Director of Health Services-cum-Chief Registrar of Births & Deaths, Assam; and Dr Himangshu Das, Associate Professor of Forensic Medicine, GMCH.
According to Health & Family Welfare Department order dated July 12, 2020, "The 'State Death Audit Committee on COVID-19' shall examine all the case records etc., to ascertain the underlying cause of death as per the guidance for appropriate recording of COVID-l9-related deaths in India issued by the ICMR."
It will also "audit each and every death in which the COVID-19 test is positive in government and private hospitals of the State of Assam, on a daily basis."
The order added, "The above committee shall devise its own mechanism for receiving the requisite reports in time from the hospitals. All government and private-sector hospitals will report all deaths in which the COVID-19 test is positive with the copy of case sheet etc., for death audit."