COVID - 19 data clarification
Dear Department of Health,
1. What other deaths are reported similar to COVID - 19 deaths in the last 2 decades, meaning the way we are reporting COVID 19 under the WHO standards as a COVID 19 death even if it just a test positive and no evidence it is the cause of death. Historically has Australia used this method with any other illnesses in the past?
2. Which department is responsible for this deviation within Australia, of taking up this WHO standard?
Yours faithfully,
A long standing member of a religious community in Western Australia
Dear Long Standing Member of the Religious Community in Western Australia
The Department of Health has received your email dated 11 December 2021 in which you have requested access to documents under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1982.
You have requested:
1. What other deaths are reported similar to COVID - 19 deaths in the last 2 decades, meaning the way we are reporting COVID 19 under the WHO standards as a COVID 19 death even if it just a test positive and no evidence it is the cause of death. Historically has Australia used this method with any other illnesses in the past?
2. Which department is responsible for this deviation within Australia, of taking up this WHO standard?
A request for access to documents must provide sufficient information as is reasonably necessary to enable a responsible officer in the Department to identify the document(s) requested. The FOI Act does not provide a mechanism for questions to be raised and answers provided, and it does not require the department to create a response to such questions, except in very limited circumstances.
Where a request does not satisfy the validity requirements the Department must undertake a request consultation process with you.
Request consultation process
You have not provided sufficient information for a responsible officer in the Department to identify the documents you are seeking access to and as such, your request is not currently a valid FOI request.
The Department is providing you with a reasonable opportunity to take steps to provide sufficient information that would enable the Department to identify the documents you are seeking access to, and to submit a request that is valid for the purposes of section 15 of the FOI Act.
Timeframes
As this is not currently a valid request, the statutory processing timeframes have not commenced.
The consultation period during which you may revise the scope of your request is 14 days from the date of this email. If the Department does not hear from you before the end of the 14 day consultation period, your request will be regarded as an invalid request and no further action will be taken on it by the Department.
If you require assistance to modify your request to ensure that is a valid request, you may contact me on the details set out below.
Kind regards
FOI Officer
Freedom of Information Section
Legal & Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
Australian Government Department of Health
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the sender immediately.
Dear FOI,
1. What other deaths are reported similar to COVID - 19 deaths in the last 2 decades, meaning the way we are reporting COVID 19 under the WHO standards as a COVID 19 death even if it just a test positive and no evidence it is the cause of death. Historically has Australia used this method with any other illnesses in the past?
- Currently COVID 19 deaths combine death causes with secondary causes. What document trail supports this as a reasonable step of action, what history of such actions does the department have.
2. Which department is responsible for this deviation within Australia, of taking up this WHO standard?
- This is simple, what documents support the decision to follow the World Health Organization guidelines in regards to COVID 19 deaths, rather than normal statistics that would of happen in the past.
Yours sincerely,
A long standing member of a religious community in Western Australia
Good afternoon
Thank you for providing the department with additional information regarding your request for access to documents.
To ensure that we understand your request correctly, can you please confirm that the following would be a correct interpretation of your request;
1. A document that sets out that COVID-19 deaths are reported under the WHO standards as a COVID-19 death even if it is just a positive test and no evidence that COVID-19 is the cause of death, including a document that sets out what other deaths have been reported in a similar way in the past two decades.
2. A document that contains the decision to follow the World Health Organization guidelines in regards to COVID 19 deaths, rather than normal statistics that would have happen in the past.
If you are able to confirm that this is an accurate understanding of your request, we would be in a position to accept this request as a valid request and will be able to proceed to register your request and consider whether the Department holds any such documents.
With kind regards
Freedom of Information Unit
Legal and Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
Australian Government Department of Health
P: 02 6289 1666 E: [Health request email]
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
Please note that this email and attachments may contain confidential or legally privileged information. Please consult with Legal Division before disclosing any part of this email, or attachment, outside the Department. If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the sender immediately