RI Reports 90 New Coronavirus Deaths — Raising Questions About RIDOH Data
Monday, February 22, 2021
The Rhode Island Department of Health reported 90 additional coronavirus-related deaths on Monday.
On Friday, RIDOH had reported 2,376 fatalities since the start of the pandemic -- on Monday, that number was 2,466.
The three-day adjustment represented a 4% increase in the total number of deaths over the past 11 months. The agency claims only 9 of the deaths took place over the weekend.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe beleaguered agency asserts that there was no intentional under reporting, but that this was routine — even though it is the largest correction to date.
RIDOH on 4% Increase
“Over the last three days, our total number of deaths have been 5, 1, and 3. However, the total number of confirmed fatalities since the start of the pandemic increased by more,” said RIDOH spokesperson Joseph Wendelken.
According to RIDOH, “Our death data are considered provisional for at least three months, and are often adjusted upward. This is because it takes time for causes of death to be confirmed, and for us to cross reference our different data sets. We routinely do reviews to cross reference our case data and our overall fatality data to ensure that all COVID-19 fatalities are captured."
"This often results in us identifying COVID-19 fatalities that were not initially reported to RIDOH as COVID-19 fatalities. We did one of these routine reviews, which is why there was a larger than usual increase in today’s cumulative total of COVID-19 fatalities," they added.
“We continue to have a substantial death rate and there is simply too much infection and transmission in Rhode Island,” said Dr. Michael Fine, former Rhode Island Director of Health.
65+ Vaccination Signup Suffered Tech Issues
Earlier on Monday, RIDOH admitted that the sign-up for those 65+ wishing to schedule vacciantions was late launching after having technical issues.
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