Experts say that the number of deaths caused by coronavirus does not reflect the hidden deaths that have occurred in the shadows of the disease. The overall tally reflects those whose deaths certificates indicate COVID-19 was the cause, but does not take into account the many who died indirectly.

According to Kaiser Health News, Well Being Trust, a national public health foundation, conducted an analysis that predicted as many as 75,000 people might die from suicide, overdose or alcohol abuse. Experts say these deaths may have been triggered by the uncertainly and unemployment caused by the pandemic.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that as the COVID-19 epidemic rages on, so does the drug epidemic. Paramedics across West Virginia responded to over 900 calls about suspected overdoses. One county has seen a whopping 400% increase in the number of people overdosing.

Robin Pollini, a harm reduction expert and associate professor at the West Virginia University School of Medicine told the Gazette-Mail that it’s challenging to deal with the very serious issues of COVID-19 while trying to take care of the health problems in the background.

“We need to figure out how we respond to COVID-19 and continue treating those other ailments,” she said.

She pointed out that isolation from shutdowns and quarantines can be a trigger for relapse. Experts added that many support groups and rehabilitation programs switched to online sessions through video conferencing instead of physical meetings. For many recovering addicts, it is the face-to-face accountability that keeps them on track.

The economic uncertainty adds more fuel to the deadly fire.

“People lose their jobs and they lose their sense of purpose and become despondent,” said Benjamin Miller, Well Being’s chief strategy officer. He told Kaiser Health News that a 2017 study found that for every percentage point increase in unemployment, opioid overdose deaths increased by 3.6%.