Have parts of Pennsylvania seen an increase in opioid-related deaths during the COVID-19 shutdowns?
By Eric Smith
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YES
Coroners in Pennsylvania's York and Cumberland counties, near Harrisburg, say they are seeing spikes in fatal overdoses after two years of decline, according to a report in PA Post.
A Harrisburg television station calls it "a pandemic inside a pandemic," citing ill effects from prolonged isolation and disrupted mental-health services and support meetings. "Confirmed and suspected opioid deaths in York County tripled in March from January's number," the CBS affiliate reported. "York County Coroner Pam Gay says she 100% believes it is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic."
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