From the Guidelines
As of April 5, 2020, there were 8,910 reported COVID-19 deaths in the United States. This information is based on the data available at that time, as reported in a study published in The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 1. The study highlights the rapid progression of COVID-19 infection rates and the implementation of social distancing practices to limit the spread of infection. Some key points to consider include:
- The number of COVID-19 deaths has likely changed significantly since the reported date, due to the ongoing nature of the pandemic.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a reliable source for the most current COVID-19 death toll, as they continuously update their data.
- Factors such as age, underlying health conditions, vaccination status, and access to healthcare have played a significant role in determining mortality rates throughout the pandemic, as noted in various studies 1.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated significant changes to healthcare practices, including the management of pediatric orthopaedic patients, to minimize viral transmission and protect patients, families, and healthcare workers 1.
From the Research
COVID-19 Deaths in the United States
- The number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States has been reported in several studies: + As of October 15, 2020, 216,025 deaths from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported in the United States 2. + In 2020, approximately 3,358,814 deaths occurred in the United States, with COVID-19 reported as the underlying cause of death or a contributing cause of death for an estimated 377,883 (11.3%) of those deaths 3. + A total of 3,383,729 deaths were reported in the United States in 2020, with COVID-19 becoming the third leading cause of death in 2020 4. + In 2022, COVID-19 was the underlying or contributing cause in 244,986 deaths that occurred in the United States 5.
Excess Deaths
- Excess deaths have been used to estimate the impact of public health pandemics or disasters, particularly when there are questions about underascertainment of deaths directly attributable to a given event or cause 2.
- An estimated 299,028 excess deaths have occurred in the United States from late January through October 3, 2020, with two thirds of these attributed to COVID-19 2.
Demographic Patterns
- The largest percentage increases in excess deaths were seen among adults aged 25-44 years and among Hispanic or Latino persons 2.
- COVID-19 death rates were highest among adults aged ≥85 years, non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations, and males 5.
- The highest age-adjusted death rates by age, race/ethnicity, and sex occurred among adults aged ≥85 years, non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black) and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons, and males 3.