COVID Case Numbers are Rising, But The Mortality Rate Is Not

The number of positive COVID-19 cases has risen in recent weeks, and governing bodies are using this statistic as a reason to tighten measures intended to restrict the spread of the virus that started a global pandemic two years ago. 

But reputable sources show that the mortality rate of COVID-19 has not sharply risen alongside the increase of positive cases. According to data reported by John Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center on January 11, 2022, the mortality rate for COVID-19 in the United States is 1.6%. This means that 98.4 of people who become infected with this strain of the coronavirus will survive. 

Despite this fact, policymakers across the country are using the rising case numbers to justify additional quarantine measures, time off work, and the cessation of in-person learning. Keeping kids in classrooms is vital to their educational and social development. Since they are the demographic least susceptible to COVID-19, it seems illogical to keep them out of the classroom simply due to rising case numbers.

More students and teachers than ever before are being tested for COVID. Could that have something to do with the rising case numbers? Seems like it. But the main stat touted by the liberal media and lawmakers is that case numbers are rising and we should all freak out and hunker down. 

Furthermore, John Hopkins’ data also shows that hospitals in most states are about 80% full, including the Intensive Care Unit. This includes COVID-cautious California (hospital full rate of 80%) and all-the-restrictions-apply New York (hospital full rate of 81%) 

This means that 20% of hospital beds are currently unoccupied, in contrast to the onslaught of media coverage stating that hospitals are operating at full capacity and forced to turn away patients with both COVID and non-COVID related health issues. 

Data from a 2018 study by the American Hospital Association Annual Survey shows that the average hospital full rate for that pre-pandemic year was 64%. So, there is approximately a 16% increase in hospital bed utilization since the pandemic began. 

But we still have 20% of beds open in hospitals across the country. A shortage of hospital beds has been heavily blamed on unvaccinated people being admitted for COVID. This has created a division between our vaccinated and unvaccinated population. The vaxxed blame the unvaxxed for hospitals being overwhelmed, but in reality, there are still 20% of beds available. So, if a person goes to their local hospital and it’s full, they can likely be transferred to a nearby facility and receive treatment. 

The panic over rising COVID-19 case numbers is overblown. The death rate is staying low and steady, so the overall health of our population is staying intact. It seems like a greater number of positive cases would mean a greater amount of herd immunity, but that would be too simple and take away the liberal policymakers’ greatest bargaining chip: Mass hysteria.