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COVID-19 research briefs: COVID-19 responsible for excess mortality in the United States in 2020
Clinical Question
What effect has COVID-19 had on the mortality rate in the United States between March and August 2020?
Bottom line
Between March and August 2020, the United States has experienced 20% more deaths than otherwise would have been expected, two-thirds of which were directly attributed to COVID-19. 2c
Reference
Study design: Time series
Funding:
Setting: Population-based
Synopsis
Research Brief #67: These investigators obtained population and mortality data for 48 of the 50 states for 2014–2020 from the US Census Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics to assess excess deaths attributable to COVID-19. (North Carolina and Connecticut were excluded because of incomplete data.) Expected deaths, calculated with data from 2014–2019, were compared with observed deaths in 2020. Between March 1 and August 1, 2020, there were 1,336,561 deaths, 225,530 (20%) more deaths than expected, of which 150,541 (67%) were attributed to COVID-19. The 10 states with the highest per capita rate of excess deaths were New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Arizona, Mississippi, Maryland, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Michigan. The 33% of excess deaths NOT attributed to COVID-19 were likely due to a combination of increased deaths from other causes, deaths from causes in which COVID-19 may have contributed, and deaths from respiratory illness for which COVID-19 was not diagnosed.
Reviewer
Henry C. Barry, MD, MS
Professor
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Comments
Excess Deaths
Perhaps some of the non-directly Covid related deaths were due to people not wanting to go to hospital for their serious health problems [because of fear of contracting Covid].
%Mortality due to Covid in USA
Striking evidence that supports strict code alliance until a reliable Covid 19 vaccine is available
'expected death rate' accuracy?
Looking at charts from deaths in the same time period it looks like overall deaths have not increased.
'Expected' excess death calculation accuracy?
I question that as when looking at several charts of total deaths from prior years, there does not seem to be any increase.
Covid -19
It has all been said. We know what to do.
covid 19
must follow covid personal precautions and try to slow down the pandemic and decrease deaths
Covid 19 has changed our perceptions
Yes mortality not in control and hanging on to hope from vaccines