The US recorded a record of more than 100,000 overdose deaths in the year of the pandemic

The United States registered a record of more than 100,000 overdose deaths in a year during the Covid-19 pandemic, health authorities reported Wednesday.

Between April 2020 and April 2021, the country registered 100,306 fatal overdoses, an increase of 28.5% compared to the same period of the previous year (78,056 deaths), according to provisional figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

It is the first time that the symbolic barrier of 100,000 deaths has been surpassed.

These overdoses are mainly caused by synthetic opiates, especially illegally manufactured fentanyl, “Deb Houry of the CDC told a news conference.

“My government is committed to doing everything in our power to treat addiction and end the overdose epidemic,” the president reacted. Joe Biden it’s a statement.

“As we continue to progress to overcome the Covid-19 pandemicWe cannot ignore this epidemic of disappearances, which has affected families and communities throughout the country, “he added.

The US government specially announced that plans to improve access to naloxone, an antidote capable of counteracting an overdose.

“It is time to face the fact that this crisis is getting worse. We need to put all our hands to work,” Health Secretary Xavier Becerra told reporters.