On Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 Puerto Rican officials stated that approximately 2,975 people died as a result of Hurricane Maria. This death toll is 50 times more than previous estimates.It was initially reported death toll was a mere 64, which only took into account the lives lost in direct relation with the hurricane. Sepsis, migration, loss of water and power, death certificates, and a lack of medical resources were all taken into account in the second official count.  The independent study responsible for these findings was conducted by George Washington University and commissioned by Governor Ricardo Rosselló who has questioned the United States’ late response to the storm. 

Many Puerto Ricans were not shocked by the news. Before the results of the study were released a few government officials admitted that they believed that the death toll might have been much higher than the initial 64. The mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz, stated that the neglect of the Trump administration was to blame for the lives lost as a result of Hurricane Maria.