Scientist reported cases of deaths from COVID with negative PCR tests

Among the studied 3.5 thousand deaths from COVID-19 in Moscow at 20% of the deceased had tested negative for coronavirus infection. This was stated by the doctor of biological Sciences, Director of the “Center of external quality control of clinical laboratory investigations” Vladimir Malakhov, citing data from a survey of Boston Consulting Group (BCG), reports “Medvednik”.

“Out of 3.5 thousand of the deaths studied from COVID-19 in Moscow, 20% were negative results from laboratory determination of this virus”, — said Malakhov, adding that these data require special medical research.

In June of this year, BCG released a report “Moscow and other big cities and countries in the fight against the pandemic.” It says that in April and may death from coronavirus, confirmed by PCR test recorded in 2960 cases, 602 other fatalities in the same period was recorded without the PCR test, however, these patients had a clinical picture COVID-19.

Thus, in April-may is registered 3562 deaths from coronavirus infection, the proportion of victims with no PCR test that number is 16.9 percent. BCG indicates that given the information in the report is based on analysis of publicly available data and expert interviews.

In late may, the Ministry of health has updated the methodical recommendations for coding the causes of death related COVID-19. The Agency noted that the coronavirus must always specify the causes of death if identified in a patient.

All fatal cases associated with COVID-19 are divided into two groups: cases where the disease was the original cause of death and situation when coronavirus infection influenced the development of the underlying disease and led to his fatal complication. In this case, COVID-19 recorded as other causes of death.