The Under-Reported Impact of COVID-19: A Deeper Look into Excess Mortality

Under-Reporting of COVID-19 Deaths

A new study has suggested that the number of deaths from COVID-19 may be at least 16% higher than what official records depict. This increase is largely due to a lack of awareness about COVID-19 and low testing levels, leading to an under-reporting of cases that have continued over the first 30 months of the pandemic. This is a stark indication that the impact of the pandemic may be more severe than previously reported.

According to the study, the U.S. had 1.2 million excess deaths from natural causes between March 2020 and August 2022. Of these, about 163,000 were not attributed to COVID-19 when they should have been. This under-reporting of COVID-19 related deaths raises questions about the accuracy of official data and highlights the need for better tracking and reporting of COVID-19 fatalities.

Excess Deaths and COVID-19

A study from the University of Minnesota supports these findings, suggesting that the count of deaths in the United States from COVID-19 is indeed higher than the officially linked numbers. The study analyzed excess deaths and found a pattern that indicates that COVID-19 played a key role in many of these fatalities.

Interestingly, the research found that the accuracy of COVID-19 death reporting remains a divisive issue. The authors called for more consistency in the U.S. system of reporting deaths, as the number of excess deaths from non-COVID causes seemed inflated in some rural counties and regions of the country.

Excess Mortality Statistics in the EU

Excess mortality statistics also shed light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the European Union. Comparing the number of deaths from all causes during the period from January 2020 to December 2023 to a historical baseline from 2016-2019 revealed significant increases, especially in countries like Slovenia, Austria, and Estonia.

There were different waves of excess mortality experienced in the EU from March 2020 to December 2021, with the highest peak reaching a 40% excess rate in November 2020. The year 2023 saw major decreases in excess mortality, with some months even falling below the baseline period.

Global COVID-19 Tracker

The World Health Organization's (WHO) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard provides cumulative numbers of confirmed cases and deaths, as well as the rate of daily cases and deaths by country, income, region, and globally. As of 16 February 2024, there have been over 774 million confirmed cases and more than seven million deaths worldwide. New hospitalizations and ICU admissions also decreased by 32% and 38% respectively.

The most reported variant of interest (VOI) is JN.1, now reported by 99 countries. This information underscores the importance of accurate data reporting in tracking the progression and impact of the pandemic.

Conclusion

The under-reporting of COVID-19 deaths and the study of excess mortality both highlight the need for better tracking and reporting of COVID-19 fatalities. Accurate data is crucial in understanding the full impact of the pandemic, guiding policy responses, and preparing for any future health crises. As we continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic, it is important to remember that each number represents a life lost and a community affected, making the accuracy and integrity of these numbers more important than ever.