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I may do a full Niagara #COVID19 data snapshot tomorrow after the noon data update, but I wanted to draw your attention to one particular statistic I pulled out of our usual breakdowns: deaths over time. You can see at a glance how much more dangerous this wave is. (thread)
So here it is. Total known deaths of Niagara residents with #COVID19 over time. What I have produced here is a linear total vs. time to highlight how quickly the death rate has risen in the second wave.
COVID-19 in Niagara: deaths over time https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/4841001/
COVID-19 in Niagara: deaths over time https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/4841001/
Pay particular attention to the number of deaths since Oct 5: 81. That is out of a total of 146 Niagara residents. 65 residents died from March to Oct 4.
There is always the caveat that these are deaths of people with COVID-19. The vast majority, more than 100, are people over 80 in LTC homes that typically face multiple medical issues. But, this does not diminish what the virus id doing to our elderly community.
These are people who are the most vulnerable to #COVID19 because of their age and medical status. Contracting a serious respiratory illness can be the difference between life and death, and those who diminish the death toll simply ignore the facts of this pandemic.
This is the most up to date break down of death by age in Niagara. (I need more data than is currently available to update it further)
Niagara COVID-19 Deaths by age https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/4054343/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
Niagara COVID-19 Deaths by age https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/4054343/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
And this is cases by age group:
Niagara COVID-19 case by age https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/3736652/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
Niagara COVID-19 case by age https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/3736652/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
So this shows you what we have been reporting for a while now. Younger demographics contract the virus in large numbers, but it is the elderly who pay the most serious price for it.
Public health contract tracing information showed consistently that younger age groups were bringing the virus into LTC homes, which resulted in outbreaks, which resulted in more deaths. The math is as simple as it is grim.
As I am writing this thread, I just received information that at least two more residents with the virus at the Extendicare facility in St. Catharines, which has had a #COVID19 outbreak since Dec. 12, died on Dec. 30.
That brings Niagara's total death toll to at least 148 people
That brings Niagara's total death toll to at least 148 people
Here is the updated death over time chart:
COVID-19 in Niagara: deaths over time https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/4841001/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
COVID-19 in Niagara: deaths over time https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/4841001/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
And here is your updated Niagara curve chart that tracks, deaths, cases, resolved cases, outbreaks and hospitalizations:
COVID-19 in Niagara-Curve https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/1857629/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
COVID-19 in Niagara-Curve https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/1857629/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
For months and months, public health officials warned that increased spread of the virus in the community would inevitably lead to greater exposure of the most vulnerable and elderly, and that has come to pass.
It is also important to note that 148 is not an abstract number. It is 148 people whose lives had value. 148 local families are grieving, most of which could not be with their loved ones at the end because of the pandemic restrictions in place. The loss is very very real.
At @StCatStandard we have a memorial page to recognize those lost during the pandemic. If you would like a loved one included on this page, please contact me by DM or at [email protected]
-30- https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2020/07/14/niagara-residents-lost-during-the-covid-19-pandemic.html
-30- https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2020/07/14/niagara-residents-lost-during-the-covid-19-pandemic.html
