Viruses tend to mutate in a way that maximizes their transmission, which typically corresponds with reduced death rates. This has been hypothesized, but not proven, with covid. Since it can already spread so effectively, it might not need to mutate much to maximize it's R factor.
We also know that some medications are statistically helping prevent some deaths, but are not preventing all of them.
The death rate could easily drop from 2% to 1%, but with twice the infections, the outcome will be the same.