COVID-19 as a Leading Cause of Death in the USA Save

The exponential rise in deaths from the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last several months is put into perspective by JAMA Viewpoint article noting that current US death rates of > 3000 per day from COVID-19 is greater than that seen in one day on September 11, 2001 (9/11 attacks, claimed 2988 lives) or by a fictional catastrophe of 15 Airbus 320 jetliners (150 passengers each) crashing daily.

COVID-19–related mortality rates has become a leading cause of death according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

As of October 2020 COVID-19 had become:

• 3rd leading cause of death for persons aged 45 through 84 years
• 2nd leading cause of death for those aged 85 years or older
• For adults 45 years or older, COVID-19 killed more than chronic lower respiratory disease, motor vehicle fatalities, drug overdoses, suicide, or homicide. 

From November 1, 2020 to December 13, 2020, daily COVID-19 deaths tripled, from 826 to 2430 deaths per day (7-day moving average).

COVID-19 has now become the leading cause of death in the United States, surpassing daily mortality rates for heart disease (~ 1700/day) and cancer (~1600 deaths per day).

According to this Viewpoints, these alarming numbers are from the virulence of COVID-19 but also from the failure of the public and its political leaders to alter the course of this pandemic.

The prospects for hope in 2021, lie in novel vaccine distribution and uptake, but also a concerted effort by the public and government to manage the pandemic with more urgency.