Fact check: How many poeple died in the us from covid

1. Summary of the results

The number of people who died in the US from COVID-19 is estimated to be around 649,411, with 82.9% of excess deaths attributed directly to COVID-19, according to source ^[4]. However, source ^[1] reports that between January 3, 2020, and September 26, 2021, there were 895,693 excess deaths associated with COVID-19 in the US, which is 26% more than the reported number of COVID-19 deaths ^[1]. Additionally, source ^[2] provides provisional COVID-19 death data for 2022, stating that there were 244,986 deaths with COVID-19 listed as an underlying or contributing cause of death in the US ^[2]. The estimates vary significantly across different sources, with some sources providing information on excess deaths, while others provide information on reported COVID-19 deaths. Source ^[3] estimates that the pandemic led to at least 1.4 million additional deaths in the U.S. ^[3].

• Key statistics:
• 649,411 excess deaths in the U.S. from March 2020 to February 2021, with 82.9% attributed directly to COVID-19 ^[4]
• 895,693 excess deaths associated with COVID-19 in the US between January 3, 2020, and September 26, 2021 ^[1]
• 244,986 deaths with COVID-19 listed as an underlying or contributing cause of death in the US in 2022 ^[2]
• At least 1.4 million additional deaths in the U.S. due to the pandemic ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement lacks context regarding the time period and the specific population being referred to. Different sources provide different time frames, with some sources providing information on the first year of the pandemic ^[4], while others provide information on the second year ^[5] or the entire pandemic period ^[1]. Additionally, some sources provide information on specific populations, such as patients with underlying health conditions ^[6], while others provide information on the general population. The age-adjusted COVID-19 death rate decreased by 47% compared to 2021, according to source ^{[2] [2]}. The sources also highlight the importance of considering regional variations in mortality rates, with the South having higher mortality rates than the rest of the country since May 31, 2020 ^[1].

• Alternative viewpoints:
• The pandemic had a disproportionate impact on certain populations, such as those with underlying health conditions ^[6]
• The pandemic exacerbated existing health disparities, leading to disproportionately high mortality among certain populations ^[5]
• The pandemic will continue to affect the size and distribution of the U.S. population for decades to come ^[7]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading due to the lack of context and the varying estimates provided by different sources. The sources that benefit from this framing are those that provide information on excess deaths, as this metric may be more sensitive to the overall impact of the pandemic on mortality rates ^{[4] [1]}. On the other hand, sources that provide information on reported COVID-19 deaths may be underestimating the true impact of the pandemic, as some deaths may not be attributed directly to COVID-19 ^[2]. Additionally, sources that provide information on specific populations or regional variations in mortality rates may be highlighting the importance of considering these factors in understanding the pandemic's impact ^{[6] [1]}. Overall, it is essential to consider multiple sources and perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding of the pandemic's impact on mortality rates in the US ^{[4] [1] [2] [3] [5] [7]}.