The Covid-19 pandemic was responsible for the deaths of 13 to 17 million people worldwide by the end of 2021, a much higher number than the officially recorded deaths, according to a new World Health Organization estimate released today.
These numbers give a more realistic picture of the catastrophic – immediate and indirect – consequences of the worst pandemic in a century, which continues to cause thousands of deaths worldwide each week.
New estimates from the World Health Organization show that the total death toll directly or indirectly related to the Covid-19 pandemic between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021 is approximately 14.9 million deaths (13.3 to 16 , 6 million) “, is mentioned in a statement of the international organization.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, WHO member states’ figures have put the death toll worldwide at 5.4 million over the same period, but the agency has long warned that those numbers underestimate reality.
“These data, which provide food for thought, highlight not only the effects of the pandemic, but also the need for all countries to invest in more resilient health systems that can support vital health services during crises. “And with them, more stable information systems,” said Tentros’s director general, Ananom Gembresesus.
Calculations
Excess mortality is the difference between the number of actual deaths and the estimated number of deaths that would have occurred if the pandemic had not occurred, based on available statistics.
Excessive mortality also includes deaths directly caused by the disease and those indirectly associated with Covid due to the effects of the pandemic on health systems and general social conditions.
The indirect causes of death associated with Covid may be due to overload of health facilities (for example, delays in surgery or chemotherapy sessions for cancer patients).
The WHO said the highest percentage of over-deaths (84%) was in Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas.
About 10 countries account for 68% of total over-mortality.
High-income countries account for 15% of over-mortality, compared with 28% for high-income / middle-income countries and 53% for middle-income / low-income countries. Low-income countries account for 4%.
The death toll worldwide is higher among men than women – 57% men and 43% women – and higher in the elderly.
“Measuring excessive mortality is an important factor in understanding the effects of the pandemic,” said Samira Asma, who is in charge of the issue at the WHO.
Having more reliable data will allow decision-makers to prepare the ground to reduce the consequences of future crises.
“The new estimates are based on the best available data that have emerged with the help of a solid methodology and a completely transparent approach,” he explained.
Source: AMPE
Source: Capital
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