C19 deaths ~1,700 versus excess deaths ~1,200.
Another potential factor is that covid has the highest mortality rate amongst the elderly and immunocompomised. How many of those who died from covid would have been likely to die in the same period from something else?
So if our excess mortality deaths are c1,100 and the number in the UK is estimated at 60,000 (since their official numbers only take into account confirmed COVID cases) , that represents a death rate of 4 times higher in the UK. And Boris (just like Trump) is still full of bluster claiming they have done a good job.
But sure let's join in the numbers games anyway, meaningless and all as they are. Within countries, let alone across countries, our Dept of Health acknowledged that comparisons yield no meaningful insight or extra information. But they and Holohan continue to do it to make us in "the top 7 or 8" or "the top 10 or 14". See the Dept of Health response to a recent Sunday Times enquiry. For once I agree with the Dept of Health that this comparison game is pointless nonsense, as I've said consistently since the pandemic was identified as such.I know, it’s not a numbers game, don’t want to go down the Bob McNamara Vietnam casualties route, but it’s reassuring that our authorities are doing better then we originally thought.
South Korea did a great job, because they had a plan and executed that plan very well. According to their own (no doubt massaged and PR'd to within an inch of their lives) numbers they did appallingly badly. The US & UK that is, for clarity.That doesn't necessarily mean either US or UK did a good job, just there's a lot of complicating factors.
But sure let's join in the numbers games anyway, meaningless and all as they are.
The Pubs were closed, building sites were closed and there was far less road travel. Those alone will account for a large part of the drop in deaths which would otherwise have happened.
It would be interesting to see the breakdown of deaths by age. It may well be that fewer younger people are dying and far more older people are dying.
All deaths are tragedies. Labelling them as "excess" or another designation dehumanises the tragedy for the friends and families of the deceased, all the more so as the numbers people are touting have no basis in fact.Do you think the excess death rate is meaningless?
The term "Excess deaths" is used to describe those above the annual average.All deaths are tragedies. Labelling them as "excess" or another designation dehumanises the tragedy for the friends and families of the deceased, all the more so as the numbers people are touting have no basis in fact.
Since mid June our 7 day moving average death rate had been between 1 and zero.
Given that we have seen a big increase in cases what is the reduced death rate down to?
Is it the demographic or have treatments improved or are we just seeing more cases because we are doing more testing and diagnosing people who are less sick?