Pima County's Deaths Increased 28% In 2020

TUCSON, AZ — The number of deaths in Pima County increased by 28 percent in 2020, according to the county's Office of the Medical Examiner.

The office's report found that COVID-19 deaths did not play a large role in the spike, with such cases resulting in 115 of the 2,050 (6 percent) deaths accepted by the office in 2020.

Deaths by suicide decreased by 3 percent, compared to numbers reported for 2017-2019, while those 50-59 years of age saw an increase in deaths by suicide, the office said.

“The decrease in suicides is encouraging, but any number other than zero is a tragedy,” Dr. Francisco Garcia, Deputy County Administrator and Chief Medical Officer for Pima County said in a statement. “The 33% decline in suicides in the 20-29 age group is significant and inspires hope. As a community we need to continue to invest in the resources to provide support and outreach to minimize these avoidable deaths.”

The report shows that a large portion of the county's increase came from drug overdoses, at 446 deaths, while the opioid Fentanyl was responsible for 207 deaths in 2020, up five from the number in 2014, the office said.

The number of deaths related to other drugs, like methamphetamine, also increased in 2020, according to the office.

A full breakdown of the 2020 mortality report can be found at Pima County's Health Department website.