Uncounted: An investigation of U.S. death certificate errors and the undercount of COVID-19 deaths

Death certificates have long been prone to error. During the pandemic, they've gotten worse, resulting in thousands of uncounted COVID-19 deaths. "Uncounted" is a collaboration between MuckRock, the USA TODAY network and dozens of local newsrooms around the country. We found that short-staffed, undertrained and overworked coroners and medical examiners took families at their word when they called to report the death of a relative at home. Coroners and medical examiners didn’t review medical histories or order tests to look for COVID-19. The result is a skewed picture of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S.

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New CDC and state data shows how the COVID-19 pandemic led to a startling rise in maternal deaths

New CDC and state data shows how the COVID-19 pandemic led to a startling rise in maternal deaths

With the help of maternal mortality experts, MuckRock is releasing a first-of-its-kind dataset that includes nationwide and a selection of statewide data on maternal deaths during the pandemic. We’re also asking for people who have experienced the death of a family member or friend from pregnancy-related complications to tell us their stories.

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The 'Uncounted:' People of color are dying at much higher rates than what COVID data suggests

The ‘Uncounted:’ People of color are dying at much higher rates than what COVID data suggests

Unspecific, unknown deaths rose 10 times more among Black, Hispanic and Indigenous people than among white Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new analysis by MuckRock. The true toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on many communities of color is worse than previously known.

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We found dozens of 'Long COVID' deaths across the U.S., as defined by the CDC. Here are some of their stories.

We found dozens of ‘Long COVID’ deaths across the U.S., as defined by the CDC. Here are some of their stories.

In a first-of-its-kind analysis, we have detailed death certificate records in Chicago; California’s Bay Area, Los Angeles and San Diego; Minnesota; and New Mexico, allowing us to search for words associated with Long COVID. Here’s what we found.

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