The pandemic caused nearly 15 million deaths in 2020 and 2021, a recent World Health Organization report estimates.
This number is nearly double the official reported death count collected by the agency.
In part, the report attributes many deaths to an overburdened healthcare system.
These sobering data not only point to the impact of the pandemic but also to the need for all countries to invest in more resilient health systems that can sustain essential health services during crises, including stronger health information systems, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
According to the report, it uses an “excess mortality” model which is calculated as the “difference between the number of deaths that have occurred and the number that would be expected in the absence of the pandemic based on data from earlier years”.
Today, vaccines and other interventions are available. Getting vaccinated is key. And COVID-19 is a vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccines are safe. And they are effective. More, even though there are reported “breakthrough cases”, they substantially reduce symptoms.
How to get Vaccinated
There are many options. And many drug stores, Walmart and others provide it. And at no cost. Here are some methods: