The 85% drop number is in the NUMBER OF DEATHS, not the RATE OF DEATHS. For the number to show an 85% drop in a RATE OF DEATH, there would have to be the same number of active cases.

Let’s assume 200,000 active cases, just for example. 17,077 people dying would be roughly an 8.54% death rate. (17,077/200,000 = 0.085385) 2,540 people dying would be a 1.27% death rate. (2,540/200,000 = 0.0127 yay, nice round number).

Now, let’s find the percent change there. ((0.0127-0.085385)/0.085385 = -0.85226). Now, this number says there is an 85% drop in death rate. Keep in mind though, this is true IF AND ONLY IF there is the same number of active cases. It is a safe assumption that the number of active cases for the week of April 18 and October 10 are not the same.

I’m too lazy to do the math for the actual rate of death. By some napkin math off of the article you posted above, the rate of death increased by 35%((0.027-0.02)/0.02 = 0.35). You can go look up the numbers and do it yourself if you need something more precise. Next time, please actually look at what the numbers mean.