If Antigen tests showed suspected COVID infection, hospitals cannot show deaths as Non-COVID deaths

On 11th May, 2021, the Allahabad High Court directed that individuals whose antigen tests indicate that they had COVID, will be counted as a COVID death. This is to combat the discrepancy in the counting of COVID deaths.

The Court also directed the formation of a Pandemic Public Grievance Committee with a Chief Judicial Magistrate, a Professor of a Medical College and a Medical Superintendent of a District Hospital.

“Even if it is the case of suspected death of Covid patients for antigen testing, we are of the view that all such cases of death should be taken as Covid deaths and no hospital can be permitted to hold these cases as non- Covid cases so as to reduce number of Covid deaths in that particular hospital.”