PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- Many organizations, including the World Health Organization, say that the number of deaths worldwide from COVID-19 is far worse than the number being commonly used. In fact, a group from Washington State says the number of people who have died from COVID-19 is three times higher than what has been reported. This would make the number of worldwide deaths just shy of 20 million.
Most reports count deaths only among people who have documented COVID-19 infections. The larger numbers include people who died as an indirect result of the coronavirus, including the inability to access care because health systems have becoming overwhelmed, and cases in which the fear of infection has led to a reduction in preventive screening for other health issues. Over the past two years -- regardless of measurement -- COVID-19 has been one of the top three causes of death worldwide.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
