More than five years after the first COVID-19 cases were reported in the United States, the pandemic continues to claim lives, with an average of approximately 350 deaths per week last month, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While this number marks a decline from the peak of 25,974 deaths in early January 2021, the ongoing fatalities underscore the lingering impact of the virus, particularly among high-risk groups.
Public health experts acknowledge that the situation has improved compared to previous years, but they emphasize that COVID-19 remains a significant concern.
Dr. Tony Moody, a professor of pediatrics in infectious diseases at Duke University Medical Center, stated, “The fact that we’re still seeing deaths just means it’s still circulating, and people are still catching it.”
Several factors contribute to the ongoing deaths, including low vaccination rates, waning immunity, and insufficient access to COVID-19 treatments.
As of late April 2024, only 23% of adults aged 18 and older received the updated COVID-19 vaccine, along with a mere 13% of children.
Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccinologist and president of the Atria Research Institute, highlighted that insufficient vaccine uptake is a significant factor in ongoing COVID-19 deaths.
Some individuals may not develop a robust immune response to the vaccine, either due to genetic predispositions or being immunocompromised.
Moreover, immunity from COVID-19 vaccine diminishes over time, which makes individuals more vulnerable to infection.
As a result, the CDC recommends that individuals aged 65 and older receive two doses of the updated vaccine six months apart for better protection.
Dr. Poland elaborated, “Another reason for death due to COVID is being elderly, being what we call immunosenescent, where you do not have the immunologic ability to respond the same way you did in your 30s and 40s.”
He further explained that individuals in their 70s and 80s often have accumulated comorbidities, which can complicate their ability to respond to infections.
According to CDC statistics, individuals aged 75 and older have the highest COVID-19 death rate at 4.66 per 100,000.
In addition to vaccination issues, experts point to insufficient access to effective COVID-19 treatments as a contributing factor to ongoing fatalities.
Available treatments for COVID-19 include antiviral medications such as molnupiravir and Paxlovid, which need to be administered within specific time frames after symptoms appear.
Merck’s molnupiravir is taken four pills twice daily for five days, while Pfizer’s Paxlovid involves three pills twice daily for five days.
There is also remdesivir, an intravenous drug that must begin within a week of the onset of symptoms.
Dr. Moody pointed out, “I do think that we don’t necessarily make use of the tools that we have on hand in the best way possible.”
He recounted speaking with patients who used COVID-19 medications and found them to be significantly beneficial.
He emphasized, “The trials’ data would definitely suggest that the drugs are effective.”
Nonetheless, Dr. Moody believes that the available treatments are not being utilized as effectively as possible.
He suggested that some individuals may delay seeking medical attention until their symptoms become severe, and others may not get tested for COVID-19 when they exhibit symptoms.
“I’m sure that there are people who are infected who are not being detected and not being treated,” he remarked.
However, he advised that not everyone needs regular testing, focusing instead on high-risk individuals who should test more frequently.
In summary, the persistent deaths associated with COVID-19 highlight the importance of vaccination, timely access to treatment, and the need for ongoing public health efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
image source from：https://abcnews.go.com/Health/300-people-us-dying-covid-week/story?id=122068959
