Khammam reports 37 cases, TS says it’s 5

There is lack of transparency in sharing of data related to Coronavirus cases in Khammam and BhadradriKothagudem districts. The district medical and health officers are not taking phone calls from media persons when they try to contact them for information on Covid-19 situation in the two districts.

An official working in the health department, on condition of anonymity, said, “We have been issued oral orders to show fewer cases than those actually reported. We cannot give you any information on coronavirus or talk to you openly.”

On Sunday, the district bulletin had showed 37 cases in Khammam district but the state bulletin gave the number as five. Similar discrepancy was seen between the district and state bulletins six days ago. As a result, district officials stopped releasing bulletins two days ago. Media persons have relied on their own sources for actual details.

Clearly, the official bulletin at the state level has been underreporting numbers since two days.

Sources say the government is showing only 25 percent Covid-19 cases as against the actual number. Realising this, Opposition leaders are protesting against falsification of details. They have demanded increase in the number of Covid19

tests and factual details as available from hospitals of the district.

CPI (ML) New Democracy leader Potu Ranga Rao said, “KCR government is showing far less Coronavirus numbers. The number of cases in Gandhi Chowk area of Khammam proves this. Hiding facts will cause more harm than benefit,” he said.