A recently updated report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been misleadingly interpreted that only 6% of reported deaths were caused solely by a coronavirus and that rest of the cases were due to other serious medical conditions. All the reported deaths were due to coronavirus as the immediate cause of death and were accompanied by several underlying conditions that coincide with the high-risk group.
The report includes underlying medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, hypertension, influenza, pneumonia, and several others. Some believe that because of other medical conditions, the coronavirus death count is inaccurate.
Other experts believe that the inaccuracy is not the cause of death, but the number of deaths. Many still think that some Covid-19 deaths have not been added to the official count.
COVID-19 Death Count
The CDC report notes that all the provisional deaths are based on death certificate data coded by the National Center for Health Statistics and are updated weekly. The misinterpretation may come from writing Covid-19 as an underlying cause of death if someone infected with the virus died of complications to their initial cause of death.
As a result, with coronavirus as an immediate cause or underlying cause of death, these deaths are added to the Covid-19 death count. 'For 6% of the deaths,' read the report, 'Coivd-19 was the only cause mentioned,' while the other deaths had nearly three additional conditions or causes of death.
Dr. Adele Lewis said, 'If the COVID accelerated the demise, that should be coded as a COVID death.' For example, if someone had cancer but died from an accident, it would not be added to the cancer death count. Even if coronavirus had caused conditions such as respiratory failure, cardiovascular failure, or other illnesses and had died, it would be counted as a COVID-19 death.
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Mass Gatherings Discouraged
Currently, the United States has reported more than six million cases and more than 183,000 deaths. Previously, young adults were not part of the group at high risk of getting infected, yet many have become long-haulers and have lingering symptoms of the virus.
Although some states have decreased the number of daily cases due to implementing face masks, physical distancing, and other safety measures, others have let their guard down and are tired of the pandemic. Dr. Deborah Birx said that time with friends and family 'is the time to make sure you're protecting others in your household and around you by wearing a mask when you're around them, even if they're family.'
With Labor Day just a few days away, Sylvester Turner, the Mayor of Houston, reminded the public of what happened during Memorial Day and July 4th. 'People came together, and then the virus took off, and then you saw the numbers go up.' Mass gatherings are still discouraged since coronavirus cases have been associated with events such as concerts, rallies, and parties.
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