COVID-19 Weekly Watch: COVID-19 DEATHS: Nov 16 – 22

Updated: November 23, 2020

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Authors: Azra K. Nurkic, Chelsea Raubenheimer, Bridget Lavin

The dreadfully anticipated fall wave of COVID-19 is upon us. COVID-19 cases are rising in all 50 states, with New Mexico averaging a 27.6% increase in reported daily cases over the last 7 days, the highest in the country. As a leading indicator of mortality rates, this nation-wide growth in cases is unfortunately a foreboding indication of what is likely to come in the weeks ahead. While daily death counts have yet to reach the levels seen in March and April, all of the latest COVID-19 models predict a near certain increase in American deaths as we head into winter.

Another sobering figure is the percentage of these deaths that are individuals in long-term care facilities (LTCs), at present, 40% of all COVID-19 deaths. In 16 states, the share of deaths in LTCs account for over half of the COVID-19 deaths. With the fatality rate averaging at 15% for these individuals, as compared to 2.2% in the general population, this pandemic has been a tragedy felt much more acutely among this vulnerable community. With the holidays approaching, and families yearning to be close, sadly what’s best for all is distance. Our lives depend on it.

Additional stats from this week include:

– 1 in 25 Americans has now tested positive for COVID-19 (compared to 1 in 78 in July)

– This week’s 7-day average of daily cases is 2.5 times higher than the peak in July

– This week in the United States, more than 1.2M people tested positive for COVID-19 and more than 10K people died.

–New record of daily cases was reached on November 20 when 196,004 new cases were confirmed

– U.S. recorded a +29% rise in new deaths in past week. With a total number of deaths now close to 257K, 1 in 1,202 Americans has died of COVID-19 (compared to 1 in 1,856 three months ago).

-Approximately 1 in 47 persons who tested positive, has died of COVID-19 in the U.S.

– 40% of all COVID-19 deaths are persons in long-term care facilities. In 16 states, share of deaths in LTCs account for over half of COVID-19 deaths.

-While the national average COVID-19 fatality rate is 2.2, LTCs reach a record 15% fatality rate.

– Many LTCs suffered from devastating impacts of COVID-19 like in Menolo Park and Paramus, the two long-term Veterans Memorial Homes in New Jersey where every 3rd resident died.