Death rate in Kalamazoo County increased dramatically during the pandemic, but not just because of COVID-19

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – It should be no surprise that the death rate has spiked in Kalamazoo County in the last two years, but COVID-19 wasn’t the only big killer.

County Medical Examiner Joyce deJong D.O. says there was also a spike in homicides, which she says have increased from 19 to 35 since the pandemic began, an increase of over 80%. deJong speculates the rise can be explained by the social upheaval that took place during the pandemic.

She says it’s harder to explain the sizable jump in accidental deaths, particularly car crashes. which jumped from 40 to 71 in the first year of the pandemic.   Fatal overdoses jumped from 47 to 84 in that same period in Kalamazoo County.

She says judging from the numbers so far this year, death rates appear to be moderating.

Dr. deJong is also the Medical Examiner in Calhoun, Van Buren and Berrien counties. While there have also been increases in drug, gun and crash related deaths in those counties, it isn’t as dramatic as in Kalamazoo County.

She presented her report to the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Tuesday.

(reporting from John McNeill)