COVID Lockdown ‘Ripple Effects’ More Deadly Than Virus, Itself?

The effects of COVID-19 lockdowns may be more deadly than the virus, itself, new studies suggest. Excess death figures out of Britain indicate that roughly 1,000 more people than usual are dying per week — and not from the virus.

The Telegraph reports that the excess deaths are likely linked to postponement and deferment of major treatments in hospitals due to COVID-19 protocols. Cancer, diabetes, and heart disease are three of the most likely illnesses whose treatment schedules have been disrupted.

The trend has been growing excessively in the wrong direction for months now, suggesting that the overwrought COVID-19 response needs to be tempered in more ways than one. The country plans to reinstate certain measures like compulsory face masks in the winter despite the evidence.

The British Heart Foundation said it was “deeply concerned” by the findings. And the Stroke Association said it had been expecting a rise in deaths for months.

Dr. Charles Levinson, the chief executive of Doctorcall, a private GP service, said undetected cancers and heart problems were mounting; as well as mental health issues.

“Hundreds and hundreds of people dying every week – what is going on?” he said. “Delays in seeking and receiving healthcare are no doubt the driving force, in my view.

“Daily virus statistics demanded the nation’s attention, yet these terrifying figures barely get a look in. A full and urgent government investigation is required immediately.”

With or without lockdowns, COVID-19 boasted a 99% survival rate or better in most healthy adult demographics

Based on the data, about 1,300 more deaths occurred in the week ending Aug. 5 in the country than normal. Just 469 of those deaths were COVID-19 related, leaving the roughly 800 remaining deaths unexplained in terms of timing.

Since the beginning of June, the Office for National Statistics has recorded nearly 10,000 more deaths than the five-year average – around 1,089 a week – none of which is linked to the virus. The figure is more than three times the number of people who died because of the virus over the same period, which stood at 2,811.

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, the British Heart Foundation chief executive, said: “We’re deeply concerned by the initial findings that excess deaths in recent months seem to be being driven by cardiovascular disease. Without significant help for the NHS from the Government now, this situation can only get worse.”

Juliet Bouvier, the Stroke Association chief executive, said: “We know people haven’t been having their routine appointments for the past few years now, so we’ve been anticipating a rise in strokes for quite a while now. This lack of opportunity to identify risk factors for stroke, coupled with increasing ambulance delays, is a recipe for increased stroke mortality and disability in those that survive.”