<i>Notes from the Field</i>: Update on Excess Deaths Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, January 26, 2020–February 27, 2021
Lauren M. Rossen, Amy M. Branum, Farida Ahmad, Paul D Sutton, Robert N. Anderson
Abstract
Estimates of excess deaths, defined as the number of persons who have died from all causes, above the expected number of deaths for a given place and time, can provide a comprehensive account of mortality likely related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including deaths that are both directly and indirectly associated with COVID-19. Since April 2020, CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has published weekly data on excess deaths associated with the COVID-19 pandemic (1). A previous report identified nearly 300,000 excess deaths during January 26-October 3, 2020, with two thirds directly associated with . Using more recent data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), CDC estimated that 545,600-660,200 excess deaths occurred in the United States during January 26, 2020-February 27, 2021.