Official counts of COVID-19 deaths have been criticized for potentially including people who did not die of COVID-19 but merely died with COVID-19. I address that critique by fitting a generalized additive model to weekly counts of all registered deaths in England and Wales during the 2010s. The model produces baseline rates of death registrations expected in the absence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and comparing those baselines to recent counts of registered deaths exposes the emergence of excess deaths late in March 2020. Among adults aged 45+, about 38,700 excess deaths were registered in the 5 weeks comprising 21 March through 24 April (612 $pm$ 416 from 21$-$27 March, 5675 $pm$ 439 from 28 March through 3 April, then 9183 $pm$ 468, 12,712 $pm$ 589, and 10,511 $pm$ 567 in April's next 3 weeks). Both the Office for National Statistics's respective count of 26,891 death certificates which mention COVID-19, and the Department of Health and Social Care's hospital-focused count of 21,222 deaths, are appreciably less, implying that their counting methods have underestimated rather than overestimated the pandemic's true death toll. If underreporting rates have held steady, about 45,900 direct and indirect COVID-19 deaths might have been registered by April's end but not yet publicly reported in full.

The current deconfinement plan in the Montreal area could lead to a rapid increase in deaths in the city, according to findings by Quebec's public health institute. 

Ten new cases of COVID-19 reported as of Friday morning, bringing the total of cases to 897. Three more people in Waterloo region have also died from COVID-19.

The memento mori of two friends.

Police have charged a man after a spate of poisonings killed birds of prey over a two-year period.

The 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic caused illness in all age groups, but children were disproportionately affected. Children with underlying neurologic disorders were at high risk of influenza-related complications, including death.

This study provides the first detailed description of underlying neurologic disorders among children who died of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus infection. (Read the full article)

Influenza-associated deaths in children occur every year among children of all ages. Young children and those with high-risk medical conditions are at higher risk of influenza-related complications.

This study describes influenza-associated pediatric deaths over 8 influenza seasons in the United States and compares characteristics of deaths in children with high-risk medical conditions with those in children without high-risk medical conditions. (Read the full article)

Approximately 20% of US child passenger deaths involve an alcohol-impaired driver, typically in the child’s own vehicle. The higher the blood alcohol concentration of a driver, the more likely his or her child passenger was unrestrained in the fatal crash.

The risk of a child passenger dying while being transported with an alcohol-impaired driver varies meaningfully across states. These state-specific rates may help to inform renewed prevention efforts. (Read the full article)

Infant mortality is an important indicator of societal health, and approximately two-thirds of all infant deaths occur during the neonatal period and in neonatal intensive care units.

We report detailed information on the cause of death in infants admitted for intensive care. Factors associated with death are multifactorial, diverse, and change with gestational age. Potentially modifiable factors were identified in 31%. (Read the full article)

Source: www.geekwire.com - Friday, May 08, 2020
University of Washington researchers work with the virus that causes COVID-19 in a restricted lab. (UW Medicine via YouTube) In a newly published study, a University of Washington researcher argues that the eventual death toll from COVID-19 could be more than twice as high as the figures currently being discussed. The study was written by Anirban Basu, a health economist and statistician who’s the director of UW’s Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy and Economics Institute, also known as the CHOICE Institute . In his research paper , published online Thursday by the journal Health Affairs, Basu acknowledges there’s still lots of uncertainty surrounding the fatality rate for the disease caused by the coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2. But he says there’s evidence that the U.S. death toll could amount to 350,000 to 1.2 million. Anirban Basu is the Stergachis Family Endowed Director of the CHOICE Institute at the University of Washington’s School of Pharmacy. (UW Photo) “This is a staggering number, which can only be brought down with sound public health measures,” Basu said in an interview with MedicalResearch.com . The latest projections from UW’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimate that the U.S. death toll due to COVID-19 will amount to nearly 135,000 by Aug. 4. IHME’s projections are closely watched (and occasionally lowballed) by the White House. “We’ll be at 100,000” or 110,000 deaths, President Donald Trump to

Poor diet is a major cause behind the COVID-19 deaths and the Indians must urgently cut down on ultra-processed food to build resilience against the deadly virus, a leading Indian-origin cardiologist...

The United States recorded 1,635 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 77,178, according to the latest real-time tally Friday reported by Johns Hopkins University.

The United States recorded 1,635 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 77,178, according to the latest real-time tally Friday reported by Johns Hopkins University.

India reported 3,320 new coronavirus patients and 95 deaths linked to the highly contagious illness in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 59,662 cases, the Union Health Ministry said this...

The Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting two more flu-related deaths that occurred during the last two weeks of February, bringing the 2017-2018 season death total to 30. This number breaks the previous single-season record of 28 flu-related deaths, set in 2014-2015. The deceased were both females, 83 and 84 years old, from New Castle and Kent counties, respectively. Both had multiple underlying health conditions.

NEW CASTLE (May 28, 2018) – Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker is warning people in active substance use in Delaware that two people have died from suspected overdoses in a 24-hour period that involve heroin packets with the same stamp. DHSS is not identifying the stamp so people […]

NEW CASTLE (Aug. 14, 2018) – Eight people have died from suspected overdoses in a four-day span across the state causing Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker to alert the community to the wave of deaths and urging people in active use to seek treatment immediately and to carry […]

The Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting the first flu-related deaths of the 2018-2019 flu season. A 65-year-old man who was infected with Influenza A passed away last week, making him the first person to die due to flu complications this season. In addition, a 73-year-old man and a 77-year-old woman, both also infected with Influenza A, passed away within the last week. All three individuals were Sussex County residents and all had underlying health conditions.

DOVER  — The number of laboratory-confirmed flu cases continues to increase in Delaware, and the Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing three recent flu-related deaths, bringing the total number of deaths for the 2018-2019 season thus far to eight. The most recent victim is an 83-year-old man from New Castle County, with underlying health […]

DOVER (March 1, 2019) — Although the overall number of laboratory-confirmed flu cases in Delaware this flu season remains lower than the total number of cases reported at the same time last year, the number of flu-related deaths has continued to increase during the 2018-2019 flu season. As of February 16, 2019, the most recent […]

NEW CASTLE (March 13, 2019) – Health and public safety officials are urging people in active use of heroin or other opioids and their families to seek immediate treatment and acquire the overdose-reversing medication naloxone on hand in the wake of three suspected heroin overdose deaths in five days in Sussex County involving the same […]

NEW CASTLE (Sept. 3, 2019) – Health and public safety officials are urging people in active use of heroin or other opioids and their families to seek immediate treatment and to acquire the overdose-reversing medication naloxone in the wake of six suspected overdose deaths, including four in Sussex County, during the holiday weekend. The six […]

DOVER – The Division of Public Health (DPH) is reminding Delawareans to protect themselves and those around them this influenza season by getting vaccinated as DPH announces the first two flu-related deaths of the 2019-2020 flu season. A 68-year-old woman infected with influenza A, and a 65-year-old man infected with influenza B, passed away this […]

DOVER – As the number of confirmed influenza cases in Delaware continues to rise, the Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing two recent flu-related deaths, bringing the total number of deaths for the 2019-2020 season thus far to four. The most recent victim is a 29-year-old New Castle County man diagnosed with influenza B […]

As of February 15, 2020, there have been 5,047 confirmed cases of influenza in Delaware, including 267 hospitalizations. These numbers reflect only the number of lab-confirmed cases; the actual number of cases circulating statewide is likely much higher. By comparison, at the same time in the 2018-2019 season, there were 3,264 flu cases in Delaware, including 537 hospitalizations, and 13 flu-related deaths.

SMYRNA (March 28, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing three additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and is providing an update on the number of positive cases reported in the state. In total, five Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The most recent deaths involve […]

SMYRNA (March 31, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing three additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and is providing an update on the number of positive and recovered cases reported in the state. In total, 10 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. There have been […]

SMYRNA (April 3, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing two additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and is providing an update on the number of positive and recovered cases reported in the state. In total, 14 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. There have been […]

SMYRNA (April 4, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing 143 additional positive cases bringing the total cases related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to 593, including 32 new hospitalizations across the state. No new fatalities were reported today in the state. The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics, cumulatively since March 11, include: 593 total laboratory-confirmed […]

In total, 19 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19 SMYRNA (April 8, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing three additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. In total, 19 Delawareans have passed away due […]

SMYRNA (April 9, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing four additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. In total, 23 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in […]

CORRECTION: This release includes changes based on new statistical reporting. SMYRNA (April 10, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing nine additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. DPH is now reporting deaths of laboratory-confirmed individuals and “probable” […]

SMYRNA (April 12, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing two additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. DPH is now reporting deaths of laboratory-confirmed individuals and deaths involving “probable” cases where the individual had clinically consistent symptoms […]

SMYRNA (April 13, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing six additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. In total, 41 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19.  Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in […]

SMYRNA (April 14, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing two additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. In total, 43 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19.  Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in […]

CORRECTION: This release includes changes to correct a reporting error. SMYRNA (April 15, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing three additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. In total, 46 Delawareans have passed away due to complications […]

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing six additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.

SMYRNA (April 17, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing nine additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. In total, 61 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19.  Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in […]

SMYRNA (April 18, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing six additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. In total, 67 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in […]

NEW CASTLE (April 19, 2020) – The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is announcing three more deaths from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) involving residents or patients at its 24/7 facilities. A 72-year-old female resident from Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna died April 17 at a Kent County hospital and an […]

SMYRNA (April 20, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing five additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.   DPH announced on Sunday, April 20, that it was shifting to reporting case data earlier in the day to provide information in […]

SMYRNA (April 21, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing 10 additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.  All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6 p.m. the previous day. In total, 82 Delawareans have […]

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing seven additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.  All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6 p.m. the previous day. In total, 89 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19.  Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 32 to 103 years old.

SMYRNA (April 23, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing three additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.  All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6 p.m. the previous day. In total, 92 Delawareans have passed […]

SMYRNA (April 24, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing eight additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.  All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6 p.m. the previous day. In total,100 Delawareans have passed […]

SMYRNA (April 25, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing 12 additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6 p.m. the previous […]

SMYRNA (April 27, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing five additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6 p.m. the previous […]

SMYRNA (April 28, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing 12 additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. As of today, more than 1,000 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. All data reported through the daily updates […]

SMYRNA (April 29, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing seven additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6 p.m. the previous […]