The current wave of Covid-19 cases is still rising in Australia, with the latest data from New South Wales and Victoria showing a sharp jump in the number of deaths attributed to the pandemic virus.
Victoria reported 85 deaths, compared with 54 the week before, and NSW saw 48 deaths, after 32 the week before. The total number of deaths is almost three times as many as were reported in the first week of November.
There were 40,194 new cases reported in NSW and 27,790 in Victoria over the week, both more than the week before, though there has been a slight slowing in the rate of increase. Deaths are usually a lagging indicator behind case numbers.
The latest weekly figures come as a comprehensive analysis of the impact of Covid-19 on mortality rates has found there were 15,400 “excess deaths” across Australia in the first eight months of 2022, or 13% more than predicted.
The excess deaths measure captures not only confirmed Covid deaths but also those incorrectly diagnosed and reported, and those from other causes attributable to the crisis such as health systems being overwhelmed, resources being diverted or fewer people seeking treatment.
The Actuaries Institute’s Covid-19 mortality working group estimates 8,200 of the deaths were directly due to the virus, with another 2,100 having it as a contributory cause and the remaining 5,100 featuring no link.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/dec/09/two-thirds-of-15400-extra-australian-deaths-in-2022-caused-by-covid-study-finds