Lenox Hill Hospital specialists have revealed that the rise in mysterious sudden deaths in various areas of New York correlates with the spread of coronavirus infection. This indicates that the number of people who died from COVID-19 may be higher than according to official figures. This is reported in an article published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Briefly about the scientific work is described in the press release on EurekAlert !.
The researchers analyzed data on antibody test results among New Yorkers collected from March 3 to August 20, 2020, as well as data on deaths from sudden cardiac arrest from March 20 to April 22, 2020. For comparison, data were taken for the same period in 2019. Factors such as age, race, access to health insurance, education and migration status were considered.
Scientists have found a positive relationship between the number of sudden deaths in the area and the percentage of positive tests for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. However, it is not clear if this relationship is causal or due to factors such as difficult access to medical care due to the increase in the number of patients with COVID-19. At the same time, it is known that the coronavirus can cause complications with the activity of the cardiovascular system, which can also cause sudden death.