COVID-19 Deaths - Provisional in United States

United States

COVID-19 is a relatively mild illness for most people. However, certain populations are more likely to get very sick from the virus, including older adults, people with certain disabilities, people who are immunocompromised and people with underlying health conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed an estimated 1,158,185 lives across the United States as of December 2nd, 2023. 

Provisional data identified COVID-19 as the fourth-leading cause of death in 2022, down from the third-leading cause of death in both 2020 and 2021.

Deaths from COVID-19 are highest among older adults — especially adults age 80 and older, who accounted for 40.7% of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. as of November 2023 despite representing only 3.8% of the population. 

Despite fluctuations in racial/ethnic differences and disparities between 2020 and 2022, overall, American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic and Black people have continued to experience higher death rates from COVID-19 than white and Asian people.

Vaccination is a critical component in reducing deaths from COVID-19. All COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. help prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19 infections. A 2022 study estimated that the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program prevented 3.2 million additional deaths. 

In addition to basic hygiene (e.g., handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes), the CDC recommends the following actions to protect individuals and communities from COVID-19: 

• Remaining up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
• Improving ventilation and filtration of indoor spaces.
• Moving indoor activities outside, if possible.
• Getting tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19.
• Following recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to COVID-19.
• Staying home if you have or suspect you might have COVID-19.
• Seeking treatment if you have COVID-19 and are at high risk of severe illness.
• Avoiding contact with those who have or may have COVID-19.
• When community transmission is medium or high, wearing a face mask or respirator, avoiding crowded areas and keeping distance from others.

Ahmad, Farida B., Jodi A. Cisewski, Jiaquan Xu, and Robert N. Anderson. “Provisional Mortality Data — United States, 2022.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 72, no. 18 (May 5, 2023): 488–92. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7218a3.

Xu, Jiaquan, Sherry L. Murphy, Kenneth D. Kochanek, and Elizabeth Arias. “Mortality in the United States, 2021.” NCHS Data Brief No. 456. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, December 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db456.htm.