This is an interesting story, we keep hearing that cases are being under reported, but are they? I really don't know, but I am sure some deaths are attributed to Covid 19 that probable shouldn't be just like there are some going unreported. So in the end is it all a wash? This is an interesting case really however. So I thought some on both sides would like to read. My question is if somebody dies in a car wreck and later after testing, they test positive for Covid 19, did they die from the car wreck or Covid 19? How are we counting all of this?
https://www.monett-times.com/story/2684631.html
Newton County resident dies of cardiac complications at Mercy Hospital
A Newton County resident who died at Mercy Hospital in Cassville after suffering a cardiac event is being counted as a COVID-19 death following a positive result for the virus postmortem.
Larry Bergner, Newton County Health Department administrator, said the individual was in Barry County and taken to Mercy Hospital for a cardiac event, pronounced dead in the emergency room, then later testing positive in Kansas City as the person was being prepared for organ donation.
“When someone gets tested and it comes back as positive, that is reported to the state’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), which sends it to the county,” Bergner said. “Then, our communicable diseases nurse looks for close contacts. [In this case], there were close family contacts, none of whom are showing any symptoms. There was no need to announce anything publicly as far as where the person had been.”
Bergner said the state epidemiologists determined the death should be counted as a COVID-19 death.
“That’s one of those things right now that if someone dies and has COVID, it’s counted,” he said. “Whether that’s right or wrong is for someone else to decide. Someone could have another issue that is exacerbated by COVID-19, and that’s a possibility here.”
In response to a media inquiry on its website, DHSS said the cause of death is ultimately recorded and certified by the clinician who has responsibility for the patient.
“The physician maintains the ability to change the cause of death by amendment,” the response said “COVID-19 could be a primary cause or an underlying cause based on the physician’s assessment.”
Dale Owen, Newton County coroner, said if someone dies at a hospital, the doctor typically lists the cause of death.
“Because of COVID-19, there are still some questions,” he said. “We know this person had respiratory issues. I think this was classified as a cardiac arrest, and we do not know if there were underlying medical issues prior to the cardiac arrest. The question is, could a respiratory issue caused by CVID-19 be so severe it caused the cardiac arrest?”
David Compton, Barry County Emergency Management director, said the individual is considered a Newton County case, not a Barry County case, but Barry County officials have also identified close contacts of the individual while the person was in the county staying with a friend.
“All close contacts in Barry County have been notified and accounted for,” he said.
https://www.monett-times.com/story/2684631.html
Newton County resident dies of cardiac complications at Mercy Hospital
A Newton County resident who died at Mercy Hospital in Cassville after suffering a cardiac event is being counted as a COVID-19 death following a positive result for the virus postmortem.
Larry Bergner, Newton County Health Department administrator, said the individual was in Barry County and taken to Mercy Hospital for a cardiac event, pronounced dead in the emergency room, then later testing positive in Kansas City as the person was being prepared for organ donation.
“When someone gets tested and it comes back as positive, that is reported to the state’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), which sends it to the county,” Bergner said. “Then, our communicable diseases nurse looks for close contacts. [In this case], there were close family contacts, none of whom are showing any symptoms. There was no need to announce anything publicly as far as where the person had been.”
Bergner said the state epidemiologists determined the death should be counted as a COVID-19 death.
“That’s one of those things right now that if someone dies and has COVID, it’s counted,” he said. “Whether that’s right or wrong is for someone else to decide. Someone could have another issue that is exacerbated by COVID-19, and that’s a possibility here.”
In response to a media inquiry on its website, DHSS said the cause of death is ultimately recorded and certified by the clinician who has responsibility for the patient.
“The physician maintains the ability to change the cause of death by amendment,” the response said “COVID-19 could be a primary cause or an underlying cause based on the physician’s assessment.”
Dale Owen, Newton County coroner, said if someone dies at a hospital, the doctor typically lists the cause of death.
“Because of COVID-19, there are still some questions,” he said. “We know this person had respiratory issues. I think this was classified as a cardiac arrest, and we do not know if there were underlying medical issues prior to the cardiac arrest. The question is, could a respiratory issue caused by CVID-19 be so severe it caused the cardiac arrest?”
David Compton, Barry County Emergency Management director, said the individual is considered a Newton County case, not a Barry County case, but Barry County officials have also identified close contacts of the individual while the person was in the county staying with a friend.
“All close contacts in Barry County have been notified and accounted for,” he said.
