A new study reveals that India’s actual death toll during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic may be eight times higher than the government’s official numbers. The research, published in Science Advances, found 1.19 million excess deaths in 2020 compared to the official COVID-19 toll of 148,738. The study also uncovered deep inequalities among the pandemic’s victims, with marginalized communities bearing the brunt of the devastation.
Women, Muslims, and lower-caste individuals saw significant declines in life expectancy. The study also showed that women were more vulnerable to the virus than men, contrary to the global trend. Experts argue that the Indian government has undercounted COVID-19 deaths and needs to release data for scrutiny to address healthcare inequalities.
Independent researchers have accused the government of not engaging with studies and failing to provide accurate mortality data. With the Delta variant causing a surge in deaths in 2021, experts believe the actual toll from the pandemic is much higher than reported. Greater transparency in data collection and releasing accurate numbers could provide a clearer picture of the true impact of COVID-19 in India.
Experts emphasize the importance of understanding the full extent of the pandemic’s toll to inform future response efforts. They urge the government to release data that provides direct evidence of excess deaths to settle the debate surrounding the true impact of COVID-19 in India.
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