Version 1
: Received: 24 May 2021 / Approved: 25 May 2021 / Online: 25 May 2021 (15:06:40 CEST)
How to cite:
Zimmermann, L.; Salvatore, M.; Babu, G.; Mukherjee, B. Estimating COVID-19 Related Mortality in India: An Epidemiological Challenge with Insufficient Data. Preprints2021, 2021050617. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202105.0617.v1.
Zimmermann, L.; Salvatore, M.; Babu, G.; Mukherjee, B. Estimating COVID-19 Related Mortality in India: An Epidemiological Challenge with Insufficient Data. Preprints 2021, 2021050617. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202105.0617.v1.
Cite as:
Zimmermann, L.; Salvatore, M.; Babu, G.; Mukherjee, B. Estimating COVID-19 Related Mortality in India: An Epidemiological Challenge with Insufficient Data. Preprints2021, 2021050617. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202105.0617.v1.
Zimmermann, L.; Salvatore, M.; Babu, G.; Mukherjee, B. Estimating COVID-19 Related Mortality in India: An Epidemiological Challenge with Insufficient Data. Preprints 2021, 2021050617. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202105.0617.v1.
Abstract
The harrowing second wave of COVID-19 in India has led to much discussion over the quality and timeliness of reporting of deaths attributed to the pandemic. In this brief report, we aim to present the existing evidence, as well as the broader complexities surrounding the mortality burden of COVID-19 in India. This article sheds light on the following epidemiological issues: (1) general and India-specific challenges to COVID-19 death reporting, (2) latest COVID-19 mortality estimates in India as of May 16, 2021, (3) the apparent scale of uncaptured COVID-19 deaths, and (4) the role of disaggregated historic mortality trends in quantification of excess deaths attributed to COVID-19. We conclude with a set of high-level policy recommendations for improving the vital surveillance system and tracking of causes of death in India. We encourage direct efforts to integrate health data and indirect strategies for cross-validation of registered deaths. Such system-wide advances would drastically aid epidemiological research efforts and strengthen India’s position to overcome future public health crises.
Keywords
COVID-19; India; mortality data
Subject
LIFE SCIENCES, Biochemistry
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
