US sees 285,000 more dead than a typical year
The coronavirus pandemic has left about 285,000 more people dead in the U.S. than would be expected in a typical year, two-thirds of them from COVID-19 itself and the rest from other causes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday, according to the Washington Post.
“The CDC said the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, has taken a disproportionate toll on Latinos and Blacks, as previous analyses have noted. But the CDC also found, surprisingly, that it has struck 25- to 44-year-olds very hard: Their ‘excess death’ rate is up 26.5 percent over previous years, the largest change for any age group,” the Post said.
The U.S. has reported more than 8.2 million cases and 220,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins data. The global totals: More than 40.5 million cases and 1.1 million deaths.
US overdose deaths appear to rise
U.S. drug overdose deaths are on track to reach an all-time high, based on available information obtained by The Associated Press. Addiction experts blame the pandemic, which has left people stressed and isolated, disrupted treatment and recovery programs, and contributed to an increasingly dangerous illicit drug supply.
Before the coronavirus, the U.S. was in the midst of the deadliest drug overdose epidemic in its history, with a record 71,000 overdose deaths last year. This year’s tally likely will surpass that, according to preliminary death data from nine states reviewed by The AP and national data on emergency responses to reported drug overdoses.
CDC says COVID-19 patients in hospitals die at 5 times the rate of flu patients
Patients who have COVID-19 are at five times more risk for in-hospital death than patients with influenza, according to a study published Tuesday in the CDC’s Mortality and Morbidity report, which also found that COVID-19 patients were hospitalized three times longer than influenza patients and were admitted to the intensive care unit at double the rate.
The study looked at nearly 4,000 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 from March to May and nearly 5,500 hospitalized patients with influenza from October 2018 to February 2020 from the Veterans Health Administration. It contributes to mounting evidence that COVID-19 may be deadlier than the seasonal flu, despite comparisons made by the Trump Administration.
Who can persuade Americans to get vaccine?
Americans would be more willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine if endorsed by the CDC or the World Health Organization than if it were endorsed by a presidential candidate, according to a survey published Tuesday in JAMA Network Open. The probability of choosing a vaccine was lowest when it was recommended by President Donald Trump, but it wasn’t significantly higher when it was endorsed by former Vice President Joe Biden.
Calif. to review FDA-approved vaccines
Gov. Gavin Newsom said his state won’t allow distribution of a vaccine until it is reviewed by the state’s panel of experts – no matter who wins the presidential election. He named 11 doctors and scientists to review any rollout of vaccines by the federal government or vaccine developers. The board members hail from top California universities and medical providers, along with state and local public health officials.
Wis. limits gatherings, bar capacity
A Wisconsin judge has revived Gov. Tony Evers’ order limiting public gatherings, including the number of customers at bars and restaurants. The judge denied a motion from the Tavern League of Wisconsin and two bars to continue to block the administration’s latest health emergency order. Evers called the ruling “critically important” to help prevent spread.