Florida undercounts COVID-19 deaths, study finds

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Florida – The number of Floridians dead from COVID-19 is approaching 34,000 according to the state, but a recent study by the American Journal of Public Health suggests that the number is actually much higher.

“The total number of deaths is significantly higher than historical trends in Florida, even taking into account deaths related to COVID-19,” the study concludes. “The impact of COVID-19 on mortality is significantly greater than official COVID-19 data suggests.”

The researchers compared estimated and recorded data on deaths during the pandemic.

Governor Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday that the state’s health department was releasing sufficient and accurate information.

“We have the most data than any state,” he said. “They post stuff. And they put it there.

DeSantis did not respond to a question specifically regarding the American Journal of Public Health report, which was published earlier this month.

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Local 10 News has sent its office and the state health department a request for comment on these results of undercounted deaths.

Meanwhile, infectious disease experts are tracking a growing number of cases of COVID-19 variants in Florida. The state has far more variant cases than any other in the country, according to the CDC.

With that in mind, doctors fear that spring break may be the breaking point of a fourth wave of coronavirus.

“It’s a challenge,” said Dr. Aileen Marty, an infectious disease specialist at Florida International University. “It’s between us getting vaccinated more and more people, against these variants that arise and become able to overwhelm the protection that people have.”

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COVID-19 vaccine eligibility extends to all adults in Florida on Monday.