Jenewa, The Indonesia Post – The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday (5/5) said that there were nearly 15 million deaths globally linked directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 pandemic by the end of 2021.
According to WHO estimates, the full number of COVID-19 deaths, or “excess deaths”, stood at about 14.9 million during the period January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021. This figure is calculated from the difference between the number of deaths that have occurred and the number estimated without the existence of a pandemic based on data from previous years.
In addition to deaths caused directly by COVID-19, there are also “indirect deaths” caused by a number of other health conditions that prevent people from accessing prevention and treatment due to a health system burdened by the pandemic.
The WHO says most of the excess deaths, or as much as 84 percent, are concentrated in Southeast Asian, European and American countries, and about 68 percent in just ten countries globally. Middle-income countries accounted for 81 percent of the 14.9 million excess deaths, while high-income and low-income countries accounted for 15 and 4 percent, respectively.
The global mortality rate is higher in men (57 percent) than women (43 percent) and higher among older adults.
“This concerning data demonstrates not only the impact of the pandemic, but also the need for all countries to invest in more resilient health systems, which can sustain essential health services during crises, including stronger health information systems,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. in a statement. (mhn/bbs)
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