MA Coronavirus: CDC Data Suggests Death Count Higher

BOSTON — The number of people who died in Massachusetts between March 8 and April 11 was 120 percent higher than the average for the five previous years, suggesting the number of reported coronavirus deaths is much lower than the actual number.

Massachusetts reported an additional 150 coronavirus-related deaths Tuesday, bringing the total number of reported deaths between 3,153 since the first death was reported on March 20. But a New York Times analysis data from the Centers for Disease Control shows that more people have died from all causes in Massachusetts and other hard-hit states than usual since the pandemic escalated last month.

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Between March 8 and April 11, there were 1,200 excess deaths in Massachusetts, well above the 686 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the state during the same time period. The CDC data is preliminary and could take up to eight weeks to be finalized.

But the higher death count suggests there are several factors in play. Experts have warned that the actual death toll is likely much higher than officials numbers released daily by Massachusetts and other states. Under-testing for coronavirus could mean people have died before getting diagnosed. It could also suggest some people are dying because they are not getting treatment for curable ailments out of fear of coming into contact with the virus at hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

More Coronavirus Coverage On Massachusetts Patch:

• State Needs To Increase Coronavirus Testing To Safely Reopen
• Troubled Nursing Home Short On Staff, Equipment
• Many MA Residents Still Waiting For Coronavirus Stimulus Checks
• Coronavirus Case Counts For Every Massachusetts Town

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).