Expanding the definition of covid-19 deaths will show the true effect of the pandemic

Appleby asks what is happening to non-covid deaths.1 The covid-19 pandemic has significantly affected our hepatopancreaticobiliary unit. Because of the need to ring fence critical care facilities, our theatre lists have been reduced, and surgery is only proceeding in cases likely to become inoperable before normal service resumes. Unfortunately, many patients will develop inoperable disease before theatre capacity is reinstated. Although many …