This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-60133618

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Daily US death toll from Covid now matches Delta Daily US death toll from Covid now matches Delta
(about 7 hours later)
A Covid patient in Connecticut is treated
The number of Americans dying each day from Covid-19 now stands as high as it did during the Delta variant's peak, a grim figure that experts believe will rise.The number of Americans dying each day from Covid-19 now stands as high as it did during the Delta variant's peak, a grim figure that experts believe will rise.
Statistics show that an average of over 2,000 people are dying from the virus in the US every day, roughly on par with the deaths seen in late September.Statistics show that an average of over 2,000 people are dying from the virus in the US every day, roughly on par with the deaths seen in late September.
A large portion of the dead are older than 65 years old or unvaccinated.A large portion of the dead are older than 65 years old or unvaccinated.
To date, more than 866,000 people have died of Covid-19 in the US.To date, more than 866,000 people have died of Covid-19 in the US.
According to statistics from Johns Hopkins University, the daily average of confirmed Covid-19 deaths surpassed 2,000 on 21 January and stood at 2,033 on 23 January.According to statistics from Johns Hopkins University, the daily average of confirmed Covid-19 deaths surpassed 2,000 on 21 January and stood at 2,033 on 23 January.
That's just short of where it was at the peak of the surge in Delta variant cases in September.That's just short of where it was at the peak of the surge in Delta variant cases in September.
But there are many more people in hospital now due to the virus than there were back then, due to much higher case loads.But there are many more people in hospital now due to the virus than there were back then, due to much higher case loads.
The average daily number of new confirmed cases in the US far surpasses previous waves.The average daily number of new confirmed cases in the US far surpasses previous waves.
Why the higher death toll?Why the higher death toll?
Dr Abraar Karan, an infectious disease doctor at Stanford University, told the BBC that the high death toll is largely a factor of the high hospitalisation rate, even if the symptoms of the Omicron variant are generally less severe than those of Delta.Dr Abraar Karan, an infectious disease doctor at Stanford University, told the BBC that the high death toll is largely a factor of the high hospitalisation rate, even if the symptoms of the Omicron variant are generally less severe than those of Delta.
"When you have a more transmissible virus, it would exponentialise the number of severe cases and deaths. Even if you have a low percentage of severe cases, the absolute number can still be quite high. A small percentage of a very large number is still a large number.""When you have a more transmissible virus, it would exponentialise the number of severe cases and deaths. Even if you have a low percentage of severe cases, the absolute number can still be quite high. A small percentage of a very large number is still a large number."
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that a vast majority - as much as 75% - of those dying are older than 65.Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that a vast majority - as much as 75% - of those dying are older than 65.
US Covid deaths - in four graphicsUS Covid deaths - in four graphics
'I lost my job for being unvaccinated''I lost my job for being unvaccinated'
Unvaccinated US patient denied a heart transplantUnvaccinated US patient denied a heart transplant
How many are unvaccinated?How many are unvaccinated?
Additionally, statistics suggest that the unvaccinated are approximately 100 times more likely to die from Covid-19 than those who have been vaccinated and boosted.Additionally, statistics suggest that the unvaccinated are approximately 100 times more likely to die from Covid-19 than those who have been vaccinated and boosted.
"The common thread throughout the Omicron wave is that it is largely impacting the unvaccinated, in terms of severity of illness, hospitalisation rates and indeed, risk of dying from the infection," said Dr Mark Cameron, an associate professor in the department of population and quantitative health sciences at Case Western University in Ohio. "It's crystal clear"."The common thread throughout the Omicron wave is that it is largely impacting the unvaccinated, in terms of severity of illness, hospitalisation rates and indeed, risk of dying from the infection," said Dr Mark Cameron, an associate professor in the department of population and quantitative health sciences at Case Western University in Ohio. "It's crystal clear".
In the US, approximately 63% of residents are fully vaccinated, and 12% of people are partially vaccinated.In the US, approximately 63% of residents are fully vaccinated, and 12% of people are partially vaccinated.
Professor David Larsen, an epidemiologist and global health expert at Syracuse University in New York, said that the rising number of vaccinated individuals - who in many cases will change their behaviours and intermingle with their peers more - may also be contributing to rising hospitalisations and deaths among the remaining unvaccinated.Professor David Larsen, an epidemiologist and global health expert at Syracuse University in New York, said that the rising number of vaccinated individuals - who in many cases will change their behaviours and intermingle with their peers more - may also be contributing to rising hospitalisations and deaths among the remaining unvaccinated.
"It's people in places with high vaccination rates, cities like Boston and New York City, that are most likely to change their behaviour and encounter the virus, but have less severe outcomes," he said."It's people in places with high vaccination rates, cities like Boston and New York City, that are most likely to change their behaviour and encounter the virus, but have less severe outcomes," he said.
"As the surge continues, it would be normal to expect higher mortality rates as the virus reaches into more vulnerable parts of the population," Dr Larsen added."As the surge continues, it would be normal to expect higher mortality rates as the virus reaches into more vulnerable parts of the population," Dr Larsen added.
Dr Cameron added that in many cases, the dangers of Americans being unvaccinated is compounded by other factors, including age and comorbidities such as obesity or hypertension.Dr Cameron added that in many cases, the dangers of Americans being unvaccinated is compounded by other factors, including age and comorbidities such as obesity or hypertension.
"The risks mount for people with multiple of those factors," he said."The risks mount for people with multiple of those factors," he said.
What will happen now?What will happen now?
In the short term, experts believe that the daily death toll is likely to continue to rise. Dr Cameron warned that a peak in mortality lags behind peaks in cases by up to a month, suggesting that deaths may continue to rise for at least the next several weeks.In the short term, experts believe that the daily death toll is likely to continue to rise. Dr Cameron warned that a peak in mortality lags behind peaks in cases by up to a month, suggesting that deaths may continue to rise for at least the next several weeks.
"We're not there in the US yet," he said. "Omicron has strength in numbers working against us in terms of reducing our overall per capita death rate.""We're not there in the US yet," he said. "Omicron has strength in numbers working against us in terms of reducing our overall per capita death rate."
Since the pandemic began in early March 2020, more than 866,000 Americans and US residents have died from Covid-19.Since the pandemic began in early March 2020, more than 866,000 Americans and US residents have died from Covid-19.