During vs in vs due to differences [closed]

Solution 1:

Both 1 and 2 can be interpreted to mean that the deaths were merely coincident with the pandemic, not directly related to it. Only 3 clearly states the causal relationship.

However, if the context is clear that you're only discussing COVID-related deaths, any of them would be acceptable in my opinion.

Note that "due to the pandemic" still doesn't necessarily mean that they died because they were infected by the coronavirus. It would also include indirect effects, such as people who couldn't get treatment for other conditions because hospitals were overloaded, or people who were afraid to get treatment for fear of being exposed to the virus.