As the number of positive COVID cases are increasing across the country, Udaipur is facing the same situation of uncontrolled growth in positive cases, especially over the last month. The number of positive cases in Udaipur have increased to more than double in the month of August. The total number of positive cases at the beginning of August was 1,304 and the total number of positive cases in Udaipur as on 31 August is 2,807. The month of August thus averaged at 48 cases per day, with the highest per day for Udaipur at 158 cases was observed on 27 August, which was more of a report delay rather than anything else.

UdaipurTimes, in conversation with the CMHO Udaipur, was told that the numbers from Udaipur are reported on a daily basis to the state health department by the CMHO office. Assuming that there is a lag in updating information on the state level platform, a 24-48 hour discrepancy is acceptable. However, the discrepancy in reporting has increased from 2% on August 16 to 15% on August 31. Date wise numbers are given below

It goes to show that under reporting by the health department is not due to human error or lag in updating numbers and this could be a deliberate attempt to report lower numbers. This seems to be the case in probably other states too. If the number for Udaipur is under-reported at Rajasthan level, there could be discrepancies with the numbers of other districts of the state as well. If this is the case, the purpose needs to be justified. Why are the numbers being under reported? When the local city updates are being given in the correct manner, then why do the state numbers need to be under reported?