KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An “inconsistency” led the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to report more than 70 COVID-19 deaths on Saturday that had previously been unaccounted for.
The 72 deaths occurred between June and August, according to a news release.
“Through continuing efforts to ensure data transparency and quality, DHSS analysts discovered an inconsistency in death certificate diagnosis codes when compared to case information contained in DHSS disease surveillance systems,” the release stated.
COVID-19 update for Sept 5:
— Mo Health & Sr Srvcs (@HealthyLivingMo) September 5, 2020
- 1,987 new cases
- 13.3%: 7-day positivity rate
- 77 deaths added* (5 from past 24 hours) More info here: https://t.co/bpcRd3zKZQ
Learn more about Missouri’s #COVID19 response and statistics at https://t.co/V6es2EUkO0 #COVID19 | #ShowMeStrong pic.twitter.com/7duGfAvT0D
DHSS expects more newly discovered COVID-19 deaths related to the inconsistency to be reported on Sunday.
However, the department said that the fatality rate has decreased to less than 1% in August from more than 7% in April and May.
A 41 Action News analysis of COVID-19 data shows that as of Saturday morning, Missouri had reported more than 92,000 cases and more than 1,700 deaths.
