The Thursday morning, May 14 Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard at 6:32 a.m.:
Worldwide cases: 4,387,438 Worldwide deaths: 299,333
U.S. cases: 1,395,265 U.S. deaths: 84,313
The CDC reports that in 2017, the number of deaths from all causes was 2,813,503. The leading causes of death:
- Heart disease: 647,457
- Cancer: 599,108
- Accidents (unintentional injuries): 169,936
- Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 160,201
- Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 146,383
- Alzheimer’s disease: 121,404
- Diabetes: 83,564
- Influenza and Pneumonia: 55,672
- Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis: 50,633
- Intentional self-harm (suicide): 47,173
So right now, if the statistics for 2020 roughly match those for 2017, COVID-19 would be the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, only counting confirmed deaths as of mid-May. Most health professionals believe that COVID-19 was circulating in communities well prior to the government’s official acknowledgement of its presence, and before COVID-19 testing was being done.
On April 21, County of Santa Clara (California) Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody announced that their first known fatality from COVID-19 was on February 6, 2020, which was discovered in going back and retesting tissue from autopsies of those who passed away from some undiagnosed respiratory illness then.
Hawaii has 638 confirmed cases, with 563 no longer being monitored because of deaths (17), no longer in the area, or recovered, according to State Department of Health on Wednesday. Hawaii Island has had 75 cumulative cases, with no active cases now. On O’ahu, State DOH says there is a cluster at Kalihi Valley Housing, with 7 adults and children confirmed as having COVID-19 so far, and at least 11 tests pending. But the State has flattened its COVID-19 curve and businesses on all islands are gradually reopening.
Premier Medical Group, working with the County of Hawaii, is conducting antibody testing at the same sites where it does testing for COVID-19. Dr. Scott Miscovich explained that antibody testing of those who had coughs and fevers, but not influenza, in January through March, prior to COVID-19 testing or who were not given COVID-19 tests, will help the state epidemiologists and researchers understand the true spread of COVID-19 in the state. Dr. Miscovich is scheduled to be a guest on the New West Broadcasting interview program Island Conversations with Sherry Bracken on Sunday, May 24, and will be available then at kwxx.com/podcast/island-conversations.
Everybody must still practice physical distancing, wear masks or cloth face coverings avoid crowds, and wash hands and surfaces frequently.
