It is difficult to accurately determine the total number of deaths caused by COVID-19, as countries have different methods of reporting and some have limited data available.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that there have been over 6.65 million officially reported COVID-19 deaths since the virus was first identified in December 2019.
However, researchers have compared the total number of deaths from all causes recorded since 2020 to what would have been expected if there had been no pandemic. Using these figures, the WHO reported in the journal Nature that there were 14.83 million excess deaths from Covid in 2020 and 2021, which is nearly three times higher than the 5.4 million officially reported Covid deaths.
US’ Total COVID-19 Deaths Reach 18 Million
The US-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimated in March that the number was even higher, at 18.2 million.
However, even these figures could potentially be underestimated. India had the highest number of excess deaths linked to Covid in 2020-2021, with 4.74 million, according to the WHO, although the Indian government disputes this figure.
In the future, China’s lifting of its zero-Covid measures could lead to a significant increase in deaths. Modeling by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicts over 300,000 Covid deaths in China by April 1, with a total of over a million across 2023.
In addition to the challenges in accurately tracking and reporting Covid deaths, the pandemic has also exposed inequalities in healthcare systems and access to care.
Some countries have been able to more effectively respond to the pandemic and provide treatment to those who have contracted the virus, leading to lower mortality rates. On the other hand, other countries have struggled to provide adequate healthcare to those in need, leading to higher mortality rates.
The pandemic has also disproportionately affected marginalized communities, with higher rates of infection and death among certain racial and ethnic groups.
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Total Coronavirus-Related Deaths Worldwide Remains A Mystery
Furthermore, the true death toll of COVID-19 may never be fully known, as some deaths may go unreported or unconnected to the virus.
Many people may have died from other causes, such as heart attacks or strokes, but may have had COVID-19 as a contributing factor. The long-term effects of the virus, such as post-Covid syndrome, are also not yet fully understood and may lead to additional deaths in the future.
It is important for governments and health organizations to continue to track and report on Covid deaths, in order to understand the full impact of the pandemic and to inform future response efforts.
Accurate data can also help to inform policies and allocate resources in a way that can help to reduce the number of deaths and mitigate the spread of the virus.
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