What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess the increase in fatal Group A Streptococcus infections in Cook County following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Recent Rise of Streptococcus Pyogenes Group A–Related Deaths in Cook County

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To assess the increase in fatal Group A Streptococcus infections in Cook County following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Retrospective review of death cases (2015–2025) at Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identifying GAS infections
Used cultures from sterile sites and histologic examination for postmortem diagnosis
Collected postmortem pharyngeal swabs in pediatric cases and tested with rapid antigen assay.
Identified 26 fatal GAS cases, with significant increase in post-pandemic period
Rapid clinical progression noted in most fatal cases
Postmortem PCR and culture for pharyngeal swabs resulted in all negative findings.

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Retrospective review revealed a surge in mortality from invasive Group A Streptococcus in Cook County, indicating public health risks.

Stephen et al. (2025) studied this question.

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