For the second week in a row, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) published new COVID-19 numbers on its “Weekly Updates by Select Demographic and Geographic Characteristics” webpage that indicate deaths caused exclusively by the virus to be 6% of all those who died with the virus.
The CDC “Weekly Update” webpage on August 26th and September 2nd both showed that 94% of deaths with COVID-19 listed on the individual’s death certificate had other illnesses or conditions (known as comorbidities) also listed.
The “Weekly Update” is published by the CDC to help health workers understand the Wuhan Coronavirus effects in the U.S. from death certificate data collected. The death certificates were from of all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
For 6% of the deaths, COVID-19 was the only cause mentioned [1].
The CDC contrasts the Provisional Death Counts report from others stating, “Provisional death counts deliver the most complete and accurate picture of lives lost to COVID-19. They are based on death certificates, which are the most reliable source of data and contain information not available anywhere else, including comorbid conditions, race and ethnicity, and place of death.”
The new data seems to suggest what has been reported widely, that age and pre-existing conditions increase the risk of serious problems and even death when an individual contracts COVID-19.
In the U.S., about 80% of deaths from the disease have been in people age 65 and older.
Mayo Clinic points out that “The risk of developing dangerous symptoms of COVID-19 may be increased in people who are older and also in people of any age who have other serious health problems — such as heart or lung conditions, weakened immune systems, severe obesity, or diabetes. This is similar to what is seen with other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza.” They also say “In the U.S., about 80% of deaths from the disease have been in people age 65 and older [2].”
Age groups under 55 account for less than 8% of the total deaths and many of those deaths had an underlying cause other than COVID-19 according to the CDC’s “Weekly Update”.
Mortalities for those 75 years and older where COVID-19 was listed on the death certificate total 97,562 as of September 5. That is 57.7% of all COVID-19 deaths. The total for all those 65 and older involving COVID-19 total 133,664 which combine to be 79% of all COVID-19 related deaths. When the demographic 55-64 is added to the 65 and older group, the total for 55 and older is 91.6% of all deaths relating to the disease. All other age groups account for less than 8% of the total deaths and many of those deaths had an underlying cause other than COVID-19 according to the CDC’s “Weekly Report”.
The average life expectancy in the U.S. is 78.6 years of age [3]. The CDC reports that 2,067,404 individuals over 65 years of age died in 2017 of all causes [4].
The CDC numbers on “Excess Deaths Associated with COVID-19” webpage show a 10% increase in deaths in 2020 over the expected rates of mortality [5].
Notes:
- ^COVID-19 Provisional Counts – Weekly Updates by Select Demographic and Geographic Characteristics. (2020, September 02). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm?fbclid=IwAR3-wrg3tTKK5-9tOHPGAHWFVO3DfslkJ0KsDEPQpWmPbKtp6EsoVV2Qs1Q (go back ↩)
- ^COVID-19: Who’s at higher risk of serious symptoms? (2020, August 21). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-who-is-at-risk/art-20483301#:~:text=People%20with%20several%20chronic%20conditions,COVID%2D19%20symptoms. (go back ↩)
- ^FastStats. Life Expectancy (2020, April 14). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/life-expectancy.htm (go back ↩)
- ^FastStats. Older Person’s Health(2020, August 04). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/older-american-health.htm (go back ↩)
- ^Excess Deaths Associated with COVID-19. (2020, September 02). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid19/excess_deaths.htm (go back ↩)
