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January 5, 2024
This executive summary is based on the article “Long COVID Has Caused Thousands of US Deaths: New CDC Data”, published by Medscape and written by Lisa Rapaport, on January 3, 2024.
What is the message?
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 5,000 Americans have died from long COVID-19, shedding light on the severe and lingering impact of the virus.
While attention has primarily focused on acute infections, long COVID poses a substantial and often fatal threat, with an evolving death toll.
OPEN PAGE SUMMARY
What are the key points?
Mortality Due to Long COVID:
The CDC’s data reveals that beyond the acute phase, long COVID has led to more than 5,000 deaths in the United States. This underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing the lasting health consequences of the virus.
Guidance on Reporting:
The CDC has issued guidance on formally reporting long COVID as a cause of death on certificates, aiming to enhance awareness among certifiers. This directive seeks to ensure a more accurate count of long COVID-related fatalities, but experts anticipate a gradual impact on overall trends.
Significant Public Health Threat:
Long COVID persists as a significant public health threat, contributing to the overall mortality associated with COVID-19. The death certificate figures indicate that long COVID accounts for nearly 1% of the total deaths related to COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic.
Varied Peaks and Trends:
Peaks in the proportion of COVID-related deaths attributed to long COVID occurred in June 2021 and April 2022, coinciding with periods of declining fatalities from acute infections. Researchers anticipate a growing proportion of total deaths associated with COVID-19 to be linked to long COVID.
Impact on Body Systems:
Long COVID can lead to serious, life-threatening conditions affecting major body systems even months or years after the initial infection. Deaths related to long COVID often involve issues with the heart, lungs, brain, or kidneys.
Risk Factors:
Certain demographics face a higher risk of fatal cases of long COVID. Age, race, and ethnicity are identified as risk factors, with half of long COVID fatalities occurring in individuals aged 65 and older. Death rates vary among different racial and ethnic groups.
What are the key statistics?
Over 5,000 Americans have died from long COVID since the beginning of the pandemic.
Long COVID accounts for nearly 1% of total deaths related to COVID-19.
Peaks in the proportion of deaths attributed to long COVID occurred in June 2021 and April 2022.
What are the key examples?
June 2021 and April 2022 witnessed peaks in the proportion of COVID-related deaths attributed to long COVID, aligning with declines in acute infection fatalities.
Individuals aged 65 and older constitute half of long COVID fatalities.
Conclusion
Long COVID, with its devastating and potentially fatal consequences, demands continued attention and research. The CDC’s efforts to improve reporting protocols aim to provide a clearer understanding of the impact of long COVID on mortality.
As the pandemic evolves, addressing both acute infections and long-term consequences remains crucial for public health and medical communities.
To read the original publication, click here.
