Of COVID-19 Deaths, 94% Had Co-Occurring Health Conditions

About 94% of people in the United States who have died after a positive diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had at least one other co-occurring health condition listed on their death certificates. Six percent of death certificates listed only COVID-19 as the cause of death with no co-occurring or comorbid condition.

Of those with other conditions listed, the number of additional conditions averaged 2.6. The majority had respiratory failure, pneumonia and circulatory conditions involving blood clots (e.g., ischemic heart disease and stroke) which can be caused by the coronavirus itself. Others had underlying . . .