Increased Deaths-at-Home in Nevada During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Indirect effects associated with forced or voluntary changes in behaviors due to COVID-19 are largely unknown Fear of COVID-19 infection may cause patients to avoid medical care for other conditions, and government directives have forced major lifestyle disruptions The purpose of this study was to analyze deaths at home (DaH) relative to gender, age, ethnicity, location, and cause of death to understand the indirect effects of COVID-19 on mortality rates in Nevada DaH increased 25% in Nevada during April 2020 (27 9;95% confidence interval: 26 3, 29 5 deaths per 100,000) compared to mean DaH during April the previous four years (22 3 mean deaths per 100,000) The increase was driven by males, people aged 65-74, and residents of the Las Vegas area There was no trend related to ethnicity Causes of death that increased in 2020 were diabetes mellitus (109%), nutritional deficiencies (860%), non-transport accidents (50%), and as-yet unknown causes (863%)