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. 2024 Oct 17;14(4):123-134.
doi: 10.1177/19253621241292103. eCollection 2024 Dec.

"COVID-Collateral" Deaths

Joseph A Prahlow, Theodore Brown

"COVID-Collateral" Deaths

Joseph A Prahlow et al. Acad Forensic Pathol. .

Abstract

Study Design: This observational study focuses on select cases where death may have been related to COVID-related fears or the unintended consequences of protocols or public health mandates imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: The objective of this study is to highlight examples of "COVID-collateral" deaths for the expressed purpose of preventing similar deaths in the future. Methods: The study represents a retrospective observational study from the case work at an academically-based regional medical examiners' office. Cases were selected based on identification of deaths that may have been related to COVID-19 fears, mandates or policies. Results: Six cases of COVID-collateral deaths are highlighted in this report, including cases where fear or isolation related to COVID-19 infection resulted in untreated exacerbation of an underlying disease/condition with eventual death, as well as cases where COVID-related psychological/mental stress or isolation played a role in suicide. Conclusions: Medical examiners/coroners should be aware of these cases if future pandemics or similar events occur, so that more thorough and accurate data regarding such deaths can be gathered. Public health officials, the medical community, and the general public also need to be aware of such cases so that appropriate preventive strategies can be employed.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; death; forensic pathology; mortality; unintentional.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Scene photograph showing decedent in Example Case 4, with pool of blood arising from severe lower extremity cellulitis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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