Adding unaccounted deaths increases mortality rate in city to 2.17 per cent from 1.67 per cent

The civic body added 444 deaths to its zone-wise death tally, of which 20 deaths had occurred on Wednesday alone. As per the data, 82 deaths were added to Teynampet, which had reported 295 deaths till Thursday morning.

Apart from Teynampet zone, 66 deaths were added to Royapuram (245 deaths) and 57 deaths to Anna Nagar (209 deaths). With 53 deaths added to Kodambakkam, the zone now has a total of 209 deaths. Tondiarpet reported 238 deaths.

Meanwhile, reconciliation of unaccounted death also played a part in increasing the mortality rate in the city to 2.17 per cent from 1.67 per cent. It may be noted that all the 444 persons, whose deaths were added to the list, had comorbid conditions. As on Thursday morning, 1,939 persons died due to COVID-19.

Speaking to reporters, Chennai Corporation Commissioner G Prakash said that the civic body is taking measures to control COVID-19 deaths.

"We have started a new system to treat persons with respiratory illness to prevent deaths. As per the new system, patients complaining of respiratory difficulties will be taken to the hospitals straightaway without any test," he said.

He added that hospitals now have separate COVID section to treat such persons. Tests would be conducted after the patients are admitted to the hospitals and given treatment.