Healthcare News
Deaths “due to” COVID-19 and deaths “with” COVID-19 during the Omicron variant surge, among hospitalized patients in seven tertiary-care hospitals, Athens, Greece
An interesting study coming out of Greece. Depending on how you interpret the data, of the 530 previously-attributed Covid deaths, now only 25% of those cases (133) have been classified as having COVID-19 as the direct cause of death. If this level of over-reporting is expanded across Europe, U.S., NZ and Australia, you begin to see the scale of deception.
ABSTRACT
In Greek hospitals, all deaths with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test are counted as COVID-19 deaths. Our aim was to investigate whether COVID-19 was the primary cause of death, a contributing cause of death or not-related to death amongst patients who died in hospitals during the Omicron surge and were registered as COVID-19 deaths. Additionally, we aimed to analyze the factors associated with the classification of these deaths. We retrospectively re-viewed all in-hospital deaths, that were reported as COVID-19 deaths, in 7 hospitals, serving Athens, Greece, from January 1, 2022, until August 31, 2022. We retrieved clinical and laboratory data from patient records. Each death reported as COVID-19 death was characterized as: (A) death “due to” COVID-19, or (B) death “with” COVID-19. We reviewed 530 in-hospital deaths, classified as COVID-19 deaths (52.4% males; mean age 81.7 ± 11.1 years). We categorized 290 (54.7%) deaths as attributable or related to COVID-19 and in 240 (45.3%) deaths unrelated to COVID-19 In multivariable analysis The two groups differed significantly in age (83.6 ± 9.8 vs. 79.9 ± 11.8, p = 0.016), immunosuppression history (11% vs. 18.8%, p = 0.027), history of liver disease (1.4% vs. 8.4%, p = 0.047) and the presence of COVID-19 symptoms (p < 0.001). Hospital stay was greater in persons dying from non-COVID-19 related causes. Among 530 in-hospital deaths, registered as COVID-19 deaths, in seven hospitals in Athens during the Omicron wave, 240 (45.28%) were reassessed as not directly attributable to COVID-19. Accuracy in defining the cause of death during the COVID-19 pandemic is of paramount importance for surveillance and intervention purposes.
Results
After reviewing the death certificates, medical charts, and interviewing the attending physicians, we concluded that in 240 (45.3%) of the 530 reviewed cases, COVID-19 was not related to the death (deaths “with” COVID-19). In 133 (25.1%) cases, COVID-19 was determined to be the direct cause of death, while in 157 (29.6%) cases, COVID-19 was not the primary cause but contributed to the chain of events leading to death. These two latter categories combined accounted for 290 (54.7%) deaths classified as “due to” COVID-19.
In 133 (25.1%) cases, COVID-19 was determined to be the direct cause of death
Conclusions
In conclusion, we found that 45,28% of the deaths registered as COVID-19 deaths, in seven hospitals in Athens Greece, were reassessed as not directly attributable to COVID-19 in our analysis, but reflected the wide transmission of the Omicron variant in the community. However, to make reliable inferences about mortality from COVID-19, we must eliminate important biases that may lead to inaccurate conclusions, based on the use of inaccurate definitions.
You can read the full study here:
Footnote:
Whilst the authors acknowledge some of the limitations of this study, there is no mention of what PCR CT rate was used in determining a person with positive testing for SARS-CoV-2 at the time of death.
I have previously covered the importance of this topic which you can read below
Healthcare News
The Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR is NOT A TEST it is a process and this is the first misnomer that must be laid to rest. Discovered by the late Kary Mullis, the Nobel Prize-winning Bio-Chemist you can listen to him explaining his eureka moment and how he stumbled across this breakthrough in the interview with NobelPrize.org below. I have added a li…
The CT rate is a major factor in establishing the level of false-positives so this in itself could further skew the results of this study. In the fullness of time I believe evidence will emerge to show the death rate from Covid will only have been marginally above seasonal flu and the full scale of this deception will be exposed.
Please remember, it is incumbent upon us all to apply logical thought and discernment and to conduct our own research before reaching conclusions. However, if you are affected in any way by the information that we share, you are welcome to reach out directly to discuss your concerns.