Colorado Coronavirus: CDC Data Suggests Death Count Higher

The reported coronavirus deaths in Colorado and other states could be much lower than the actual number, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The number of people who died of all causes in Colorado between March 8 and April 11 was 116 percent higher than the average for the previous five years, according to an analysis of the data by the New York Times.

Between March 8 and April 11, there were 600 excess deaths in Colorado — well above the 290 coronavirus deaths that were reported in the state during the same time period. The CDC data is preliminary and could take up to eight weeks to be finalized.

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But the higher death count suggests there are several factors in play. Officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment say the actual number of COVID-19 cases is far higher than the data that's been reported, which means many people may have died before getting diagnosed.

The data could also suggest some people are dying because they are not getting treatment for curable ailments out of fear of coming into contact with the virus at hospitals and other healthcare facilities. In multiple news conferences, Gov. Jared Polis has urged Coloradans not to avoid hospitals if they need to be treated for an ailment or condition that's not related to the coronavirus.

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