Social characterization of COVID-19 in the state of Amazonas, Brazil

Objectives: To compare the number of deaths that occurred in the state of Amazonas and in Brazil, from March 16th to August 20th 2020, using the variables skin color, sex, place of death, age group and association with COVID-19, and secondly, to verify whether between 2019 and 2020, in the period from March 16th to August 20th, there was a significant change in the number of deaths from diseases not associated with COVID-19. Methods: We searched the databases of the Brazilian public agency "Transparency Portal" for the data on deaths that occurred in the state of Amazonas and Brazil in the period from March 16th to August 20th , 2019 and 2020. The absolute frequencies and percentages of the variables studied were used for statistical analysis. Results: COVID-19 was responsible for an 11.01% increase in deaths in Brazil; however, this rate quadrupled in the state of Amazonas. In relation to age group, there was a similar percentage between Amazonas and the national average. The stratified analysis showed significant differences between genders and races, with higher death rates in men and people of brown/black skin. The number of deaths at home increased significantly, especially those from causes not associated with COVID-19. Conclusions: The national drop in deaths from diseases not associated with COVID between March and August 2020 in Brazil is misleading and may be due to the result of misreported causes of death.