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COVID deaths not increasing as much in this wave as in previous surges

(Image: Centers for Disease Control community risk map through June 16, 2022)

The latest COVID wave has not led to a substantial increase in deaths like we saw in past waves. Here in Washington State, this sub-variant mini-surge peaked in mid-May with hospitalizations peaking a few weeks later, but even though it has risen slightly, the 7-day COVID death rate is at just 0.7-per 100 thousand people.

So why haven’t we seen the same lagging increase in deaths as in past waves? Washington State Hospital Association Chief, Cassie Sauer says, “This variant seems to not make people quite as sick; we have a high vaccination rate, and vaccination definitely protects people from severe illness, hospitalization and death; and we have better understanding of the disease and more effective treatments available.”

Those treatments include anti-viral drugs, like Paxlovid, which has been shown to prevent COVID deaths. Our natural community immunity also got a boost because so many people were infected during the massive Omicron surge.

Health experts say you still want to protect yourself because any COVID infection can lead to health problems, known as “Long COVID”, which can go on for months or years, including some that could be with you for the rest of your life.

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