In just weeks, covid-19 deaths have snowballed from a few isolated cases to thousands across the country each day.

The U.S. surgeon general had warned that last week would be like Pearl Harbor as he attempted to create context for the threat — but it turned out that more than five times as many Americans died from covid-19 last week than were killed in the World War II raid.

[How many people have died from coronavirus in the U.S.]

You can grasp the scale when you compare a single week’s pandemic deaths with how many people die of major causes in a typical week.

Coronavirus kills more than most other causes Covid-19 killed more people from April 6 to April 12 than any other cause of death except heart disease typically does in a normal April week. #1 Heart disease 12,626 #2 Covid-19 12,392 #3 Cancer 11,437 Chronic lower respiratory disease 3,279 Accidents 2,911 Strokes, brain aneurysms 2,764 Alzheimer’s 2,184 Diabetes 1,586 Flu, pneumonia 1,227 Kidney disease 998 Suicide 876 Coronavirus kills more than most other causes #1 Heart disease Covid-19 killed more people from April 6 to April 12 than any other cause of death except heart disease typically does in a normal April week. 12,626 #2 Covid-19 Chronic lower respiratory disease 12,392 3,279 #3 Cancer 11,437 Accidents 2,911 Strokes, brain aneurysms Pneumonitis 399 2,764 Parkinson’s Alzheimer’s 572 2,184 High blood pressure 649 Liver disease Diabetes 779 1,586 Flu, pneumonia Septicemia 806 Kidney disease Suicide 1,227 876 998 #2 #1 Covid-19 12,392 Heart disease 12,626 #3 Cancer 11,437 Coronavirus kills more than most other causes Covid-19 killed more people from April 6 to April 12 than any other cause of death except heart disease typically does in a normal April week. Chronic lower respiratory disease 3,279 Pneumonitis 399 Accidents 2,911 Parkinson’s 572 Strokes, brain aneurysms High blood pressure 649 2,764 Liver disease 779 Alzheimer’s 2,184 Diabetes Septicemia 1,586 806 Suicide 876 Kidney disease Flu, pneumonia 998 1,227 #2 #3 Covid-19 Cancer 11,437 12,392 Chronic lower respiratory disease #1 3,279 Heart disease Coronavirus kills more than most other causes 12,626 Accidents Covid-19 killed more people from April 6 to April 12 than any other cause of death except heart disease typically does in a normal April week. 2,911 Pneumonitis Strokes, brain aneurysms 399 Parkinson’s 2,764 572 High blood pressure Alzheimer’s 649 2,184 Liver disease 779 Diabetes 1,586 Septicemia 806 Suicide 876 Flu, pneumonia Kidney disease 998 1,227

In early and mid-March, when America began widespread closures, quarantines and social distancing, covid-19 caused many fewer deaths than other common causes — fewer in a week than chronic liver disease or high blood pressure, and far fewer than suicide or the common flu. By the end of March, the toll was closer to the average weekly deaths from diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Into April, weekly covid-19 deaths climbed past those from accidents and chronic lower respiratory disease. And last week, covid-19 killed more people than normally die of cancer in this country in a week. Only heart disease was likely to kill more people that week.

Some experts had predicted that the deaths could peak last week, but there is no decline this week, with new high tolls Tuesday (2,369) and Wednesday (2,441) and another 2,206 on Thursday. That means covid-19 is on pace to be the largest single killer of Americans this week.

March 16 to March 22 Covid-19 337 deaths The first U.S. coronavirus death was on Feb. 29. The country first saw more than 20 deaths from covid-19 per day the week of March 16. Compared with average weeks, the coronavirus didn’t yet rank among the top 15 causes of death. March 23 to March 29 Covid-19 2,024 deaths The United States recorded 128 coronavirus deaths on March 23, the first day with more than 100. By later that week, covid-19 was killing more than 400 people each day, and the total weekly deaths from covid-19 passed 2,000. March 30 to April 5 Covid-19 7,095 deaths March 30 was the first day that more than 500 people died of covid-19. Three days later, more than 1,000 Americans were dying every day of the disease. The death toll hasn’t been lower than that since. April 6 to April 12 Covid-19 12,392 deaths The week of April 6 to 12 marked the peak of deaths so far, with Friday, April 10, marking the first time any country registered over 2,000 deaths in one day attributed to the coronavirus. March 16 to March 22 The first U.S. coronavirus death was on Feb. 29. The country first saw more than 20 deaths from covid-19 per day the week of March 16. Compared with average weeks, the coronavirus didn’t yet rank among the top 15 causes of death. Covid-19 337 deaths March 23 to March 29 The United States recorded 128 coronavirus deaths on March 23, the first day with more than 100. By later that week, covid-19 was killing more than 400 people each day, and the total weekly deaths from covid-19 passed 2,000. Covid-19 2,024 deaths March 30 to April 5 March 30 was the first day that more than 500 people died of covid-19. Three days later, more than 1,000 Americans were dying every day of the disease. The death toll hasn’t been lower than that since. Covid-19 7,095 deaths April 6 to April 12 The week of April 6 to 12 marked the peak of deaths so far, with Friday, April 10, marking the first time any country registered over 2,000 deaths in one day attributed to the coronavirus. Covid-19 12,392 deaths March 16 to March 22 March 23 to March 29 Covid-19 Covid-19 337 deaths 2,024 deaths The first U.S. coronavirus death was on Feb. 29. The country first saw more than 20 deaths from covid-19 per day the week of March 16. Compared with average weeks, the coronavirus didn’t yet rank among the top 15 causes of death. The United States recorded 128 coronavirus deaths on March 23, the first day with more than 100. By later that week, covid-19 was killing more than 400 people each day, and the total weekly deaths from covid-19 passed 2,000. March 30 to April 5 April 6 to April 12 Covid-19 Covid-19 7,095 deaths 12,392 deaths March 30 was the first day that more than 500 people died of covid-19. Three days later, more than 1,000 Americans were dying every day of the disease. The death toll hasn’t been lower than that since. The week of April 6 to 12 marked the peak of deaths so far, with Friday, April 10, marking the first time any country registered over 2,000 deaths in one day attributed to the coronavirus. March 16 to March 22 March 23 to March 29 The first U.S. coronavirus death was on Feb. 29. The country first saw more than 20 deaths from covid-19 per day the week of March 16. Compared with average weeks, the coronavirus didn’t yet rank among the top 15 causes of death. The United States recorded 128 coronavirus deaths on March 23, the first day with more than 100. By later that week, covid-19 was killing more than 400 people each day, and the total weekly deaths from covid-19 passed 2,000. Covid-19 Covid-19 337 deaths 2,024 deaths March 30 to April 5 April 6 to April 12 March 30 was the first day that more than 500 people died of covid-19. Three days later, more than 1,000 Americans were dying every day of the disease. The death toll hasn’t been lower than that since. The week of April 6 to 12 marked the peak of deaths so far, with Friday, April 10, marking the first time any country registered over 2,000 deaths in one day attributed to the coronavirus. Covid-19 Covid-19 7,095 deaths 12,392 deaths March 16 to March 22 March 23 to March 29 March 30 to April 5 April 6 to April 12 Covid-19 Covid-19 Covid-19 Covid-19 337 deaths 2,024 deaths 7,095 deaths 12,392 deaths The first U.S. coronavirus death was on Feb. 29. The country first saw more than 20 deaths from covid-19 per day the week of March 16. Compared with average weeks, the coronavirus didn’t yet rank among the top 15 causes of death. The United States recorded 128 coronavirus deaths on March 23, the first day with more than 100. By later that week, covid-19 was killing more than 400 people each day, and the total weekly deaths from covid-19 passed 2,000. March 30 was the first day that more than 500 people died of covid-19. Three days later, more than 1,000 Americans were dying every day of the disease. The death toll hasn’t been lower than that since. The week of April 6 to 12 marked the peak of deaths so far, with Friday, April 10, marking the first time any country registered over 2,000 deaths in one day attributed to the coronavirus.

Covid-19 is not killing at the same pace everywhere: In the worst-hit areas, it is killing at an unparalleled rate.

The weekly total of covid-19 deaths in New York state and New York City has dwarfed the scale of normal causes of death — explaining why hospitals are struggling to cope. And although the outbreaks in other cities aren’t as bad, Louisiana and the District of Columbia also had more covid-19 deaths than any typical cause of death last week. In places that started social distancing and restrictions on businesses earlier, the deaths per week are lower: Washington state suffered an early burst of the disease, but covid-19 did not kill as many people there last week as in other hot spots.

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California has been spared the intensity of many other states. Covid-19 deaths there last week were well below the national rate.

In U.S. coronavirus hot spots, covid-19 is probably the leading cause of death

Number of covid-19 deaths the week of April 6 to April 12 compared with other causes of death in an average April week

New York state New York City Covid-19 5,226 Covid-19 3,850 Heart disease 870 Heart disease 337 Cancer 670 Cancer 244 Chronic lower resp. 148 Flu, pneumonia 44 Accidents 130 Accidents 41 Strokes, aneurysm 120 Diabetes 37 Louisiana Washington, D.C. Covid-19 364 Covid-19 28 Heart disease 211 Heart disease 26 Cancer 20 Cancer 182 Accidents 50 Accidents 7 Strokes, aneurysm 47 Strokes, aneurysm 5 Chronic lower resp. 37 Diabetes 3 Washington California Cancer Heart disease 237 1,178 Heart disease 215 Cancer 1,127 Covid-19 170 Covid-19 332 Alzheimer’s 65 Strokes, aneurysm 294 Chronic lower resp. 60 Alzheimer’s 287 Accidents 59 Chronic lower resp. 273 New York state New York City Covid-19 5,226 Covid-19 3,850 Heart disease 870 Heart disease 337 Cancer 670 Cancer 244 Chronic lower resp. 148 Flu, pneumonia 44 Accidents 130 Accidents 41 Strokes, aneurysm 120 Diabetes 37 Louisiana Washington, D.C. Covid-19 364 Covid-19 28 Heart disease 211 Heart disease 26 20 Cancer Cancer 182 Accidents 50 Accidents 7 Strokes, aneurysm 47 Strokes, aneurysm 5 Chronic lower resp. 37 Diabetes 3 Washington California Cancer 237 Heart disease 1,178 215 1,127 Heart disease Cancer Covid-19 170 Covid-19 332 Alzheimer’s 65 Strokes, aneurysm 294 Chronic lower resp. 60 Alzheimer’s 287 Accidents 59 Chronic lower resp. 273 New York state New York City Louisiana Covid-19 5,226 Covid-19 3,850 Covid-19 364 Heart disease 870 Heart disease 337 Heart disease 211 Cancer 670 Cancer 244 Cancer 182 Chronic lower resp. 148 Flu, pneumonia 44 Accidents 50 Accidents 130 Accidents 41 Strokes, aneurysm 47 Strokes, aneurysm 120 Diabetes 37 Chronic lower resp. 37 Washington, D.C. Washington California Cancer Heart disease Covid-19 28 237 1,178 Heart disease Heart disease 215 Cancer 1,127 26 Cancer 20 Covid-19 170 Covid-19 332 Accidents 7 Alzheimer’s 65 Strokes, aneurysm 294 Strokes, aneurysm 5 Chronic lower resp. 60 Alzheimer’s 287 Diabetes 3 Accidents 59 Chronic lower resp. 273 New York state New York City Louisiana 5,226 Covid-19 Covid-19 3,850 Covid-19 364 870 Heart disease Heart disease 337 Heart disease 211 670 Cancer Cancer 244 Cancer 182 148 Chronic lower resp. Flu, pneumonia 44 Accidents 50 Strokes, aneurysm Accidents 130 Accidents 41 47 Strokes, aneurysm 120 Diabetes 37 Chronic lower resp. 37 Washington, D.C. Washington California Cancer Heart disease Covid-19 28 237 1,178 Heart disease 26 Heart disease 215 Cancer 1,127 Cancer 20 Covid-19 170 Covid-19 332 Accidents 7 Alzheimer’s 65 Strokes, aneurysm 294 Strokes, aneurysm 5 Chronic lower resp. 60 Alzheimer’s 287 Diabetes 3 Accidents 59 Chronic lower resp. 273 New York state New York City Louisiana Washington, D.C. Washington California Covid-19 5,226 Covid-19 3,850 Covid-19 364 Cancer 237 Heart disease 1,178 Covid-19 28 Heart disease 870 Heart disease 337 Heart disease 211 Heart disease 26 Heart disease 215 Cancer 1,127 Cancer 20 Cancer 670 Cancer 244 Cancer 182 Covid-19 170 Covid-19 332 Chronic lower resp. 148 Flu, pneumonia 44 Accidents 50 Accidents 7 Alzheimer’s 65 Strokes, aneurysm 294 Accidents 130 Accidents 41 Strokes, aneurysm 47 Strokes, aneurysm 5 Chronic lower resp. 60 Alzheimer’s 287 Strokes, aneurysm 120 Diabetes 37 Chronic lower resp. 37 Diabetes 3 Accidents 59 Chronic lower resp. 273

These charts all compare covid-19 deaths with the normal numbers of deaths at this time of year in the country or in each particular state or city, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The death counts are averages from that month over the last five years of data. It will take more than a year for epidemiologists and statisticians to calculate the final official toll of covid-19 and put it into perspective. Measured against typical deaths, however, covid-19 is already the greatest killer in many parts of the country.

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