At this point it’s clear that although the virus numbers are spiking many hotspots the death rate is nothing compared to what we saw in New York. From what I’m hearing this may be due to better treatment protocols but I would love to hear some of your perspectives on this. When this was brought up a month ago some people said it was too early but at this point I think there is a real difference in the death rate.
Dr. Griffin gave 4 possible reasons for this, on This Week in Virology. #638, July 12
https://www.microbe.tv/twiv/twiv-638/Why are case numbers rising, but not the death rate?
1. Younger people being infected, and they have a lower death rate.
2. Doctors learned how to better manage patients – delay intubation, proning, steroids, anticoagulation.
3. Stopped the removal of patients from hospital to nursing homes and required frequent testing there, slowing transmission to those most likely to die.
4. Takes time to die. So we probably will see an uptick in deaths soon. Rates of new deaths are now over 60,000, he expects death rate of over 1000 next week.