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Study finds 15,400 ‘excess deaths’ due to Covid-19 in Australia

A comprehensive analysis of the impact of Covid-19 on fatality rates has found there were 15,400 “excess deaths” across Australia in the first eight months of 2022, or 13% more than predicted.

The measure captures not only confirmed virus deaths but 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 fatalities were directly due to the virus, with another 2,100 having it as a contributory cause and the remaining 5,100 featuring no link.

The deaths peaked in the last week of July and fell across August.

Spokeswoman for the group, Karen Cutter, said all jurisdictions except the Northern Territory had “significant levels of excess mortality in 2022”.

Generally, about half of this was due to deaths from Covid-19, with the exception of Tasmania that had relatively fewer deaths from Covid-19 and more deaths from other causes.

She said a lower measured excess mortality for WA reflected the later introduction of the virus there compared with the eastern states.

With its relatively young and affluent population, the ACT experienced lower excess mortality than the larger states while the NT, also with a very young population, showed a low net impact.

The Working Group said it was notable there were excess deaths in almost all age bands.

While the number and percentage of excess deaths were higher in older Australians, they were notable in all age groups and generally higher for females.

– AAP