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Source: https://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/10379952-sudden-covid-deaths-at-home-a-mystery-coroner/
Sudden COVID deaths at home a mystery: coroner
The Canadian Press
Friday, April 23, 2021
TORONTO ? An increase in the number of COVID-19 patients dying unexpectedly at home without having called for an ambulance is a troubling new trendthat needs further investigation, Ontario's chief coroner said on Friday.
Why exactly patients who don't appear to be seriously ill are suddenly taking a drastic turn for the worse has yet to be determined, Dirk Huyer said in an interview.
"They didn't have severe symptoms that would typically have people go to the hospital," Huyer said. "It's still work that we're trying to work through. It certainly seems that people are passing more quickly than we saw earlier."
Between April 1 and April 22, coroners have seen 25 cases of people in southern and central Ontario who have died of coronavirus disease at home. Ages of the victims ranged from the late 20s to their late 80s.
"I don't see a specific factor that I would say, 'hey, this is something we've seen throughout these,'" Huyer said.
While the numbers of home deaths are likely higher ? Huyer was unable to quantify the increase and statistics for about half the province are not yet available ? they are still relatively small. As of Friday, Ontario reported 7,863 people have died from COVID-19, with 34 new deaths. An average of more than dozen deaths are being reported daily, most occurring in hospitals.
Coroners have yet to identify a common thread to the home deaths beyond noting the increase...
Sudden COVID deaths at home a mystery: coroner
The Canadian Press
Friday, April 23, 2021
TORONTO ? An increase in the number of COVID-19 patients dying unexpectedly at home without having called for an ambulance is a troubling new trendthat needs further investigation, Ontario's chief coroner said on Friday.
Why exactly patients who don't appear to be seriously ill are suddenly taking a drastic turn for the worse has yet to be determined, Dirk Huyer said in an interview.
"They didn't have severe symptoms that would typically have people go to the hospital," Huyer said. "It's still work that we're trying to work through. It certainly seems that people are passing more quickly than we saw earlier."
Between April 1 and April 22, coroners have seen 25 cases of people in southern and central Ontario who have died of coronavirus disease at home. Ages of the victims ranged from the late 20s to their late 80s.
"I don't see a specific factor that I would say, 'hey, this is something we've seen throughout these,'" Huyer said.
While the numbers of home deaths are likely higher ? Huyer was unable to quantify the increase and statistics for about half the province are not yet available ? they are still relatively small. As of Friday, Ontario reported 7,863 people have died from COVID-19, with 34 new deaths. An average of more than dozen deaths are being reported daily, most occurring in hospitals.
Coroners have yet to identify a common thread to the home deaths beyond noting the increase...
