August 13, 2020

Comparison of Estimated Excess Deaths in New York City During the COVID-19 and 1918 Influenza Pandemics

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• During the early phase of the COVID-19 outbreak in New York City (61 days, March 11-May 11, 2020) the all-cause mortality rate (202 per 100 000 person-months) was 4.2-fold higher than corresponding periods in 2017-2019. In comparison, during the peak of the 1918 H1N1 influenza outbreak (61 days in October-November 1918), the all-cause mortality (287 per 100 000 person-months) was 2.8 times higher than corresponding periods in 1914-1917.  

Faust et al. (Aug 13, 2020). Comparison of Estimated Excess Deaths in New York City During the COVID-19 and 1918 Influenza Pandemics. JAMA Network Open. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2769236