By Syndicated Content May 6, 2021 | 12:45 PM (Reuters) â The COVID-19 pandemic has caused nearly 6.9 million deaths across the world, more than double the number officially recorded, a new analysis from the University of Washingtonâs Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) estimated. Deaths go unreported as most countries only record those that occur in hospitals or of patients with a confirmed infection, the report showed. The IHME is an independent health research organization that provides comparable measurement of the worldâs health problems and has been cited in the past by the White House and its reports are watched closely by public health officials.