Morgue Analysis Shows Spike In COVID-19 Deaths

A study carried out by The Conversation has shown that deaths related to COVID-19 over the past year are 10 times higher than figures reported by the government.

The study, which was funded by the Gates Foundation, started four years ago in a bid to understand more about infant deaths in Lusaka. As the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the research team were able to adapt their methods to include analysis of COVID-19 deaths.

Findings revealed that from June to September 2020, the number of coronavirus-related deaths reported by the government were approximately 10 times less than the number of COVID-19 deaths reported by the study conducted.

Since the initial report was conducted, The Conversation has found that the situation has clearly grown worse. Prior to June 2021, COVID-19 was detected in approximately 25% of deaths. However, over the last month, COVID-19 has been found in 87% of all deaths recorded.

Researchers have concluded that the low number of COVID-19 deaths reported is due to a lack of systematic surveillance within the government system. Coronavirus appears to be rare only because it is rare that COVID-19 testing is done.

With less than 1% of the population vaccinated, lack of reporting is a real concern if the government are ever to realise the full extent of the issue which they face. Only once reporting is thorough will the government ever be able to properly manage the issue at hand.

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