The cases of corona and the political scuffle, both are never-ending. Recently, Senior Congress legislator HK Patil raised questions over the number of COVID-19 deaths being reported in Bengaluru. Pointing out considerable variations in the overall deaths reported, he compared the data from the first six months of 2019 and 2020. Citing data from the crematoriums and burial grounds in the city, the former minister said that a total of 49,135 deaths had been reported in Bengaluru between January and July this year, compared to 37,001 in the same period in 2019.

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He also pointed out that the official data showed only 1,886 people had died of COVID-19 between March till date in Bengaluru. This also shows that only 3.83% of the deaths reported this year so far are due to COVID-19.  The Congress leader then pointed out that there has been a 32% increase in the number of deaths in the first six months of 2020, as compared to the same period in 2019. Claiming that COVID-19 deaths have not been accounted for under this increase, HK Patil asked the government if it was hiding actual COVID-19 deaths.

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"Is the government hiding something? Is this being one out of malicious intent to show less COVID deaths?" asked Patil. The minister also urged the government to constitute a team for a "quick study report" to assess causes for the increase in deaths. As of August 31 evening, cumulatively 3,42,423 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 5,702 deaths and 2,49,467 discharges. Bengaluru Urban district tops the list of positive cases, with a total of 1,29,125 infections. The city has reported 1,965 deaths and 90,043 discharges so far.

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