3.9 thousand COVID-19 deaths in December 2020

CBS publishes mortality statistics on a weekly basis. The numbers are based on death records received daily by CBS from municipalities. These records do not contain any information about the cause of death. Figures on causes of death are based on the cause-of-death certificates completed by an attending medical practitioner. CBS receives these certificates via the municipality where the death occurred. The figures presented today are based on 97.8 percent of all cause-of-death certificates received in 2020. For more information: How CBS compiles mortality figures in times of corona. These figures are provisional. In mid-June, CBS will publish a broader overview of the causes of death in 2020.

Almost 2,300 COVID-19 deaths among long-term care users in December

In December 2020, there were 2,297 COVID-19 deaths among people receiving care under the Long-term Care Act (Wlz). This is 538 more than in November. COVID-19 continued to be one of the main causes of death among long-term care recipients in December, accounting for 33 percent of mortality. This share was 16 percent among the rest of population. Of all deaths in 2020 caused by either suspected or confirmed COVID-19, 58 percent were people who had received care under the Long-term Care Act, such as in a nursing home.

Excess mortality entirely due to the novel coronavirus

During the second wave of COVID-19, i.e. weeks 39 through 53 (21 September 2020 to 3 January 2021 inclusive), there were 7.6 thousand more deaths than expected. In the same period, 9,924 people died of the novel coronavirus. Just as during the first wave of the pandemic, excess mortality was entirely caused by COVID-19 deaths.

Data sources for CBS and RIVM

During the second pandemic wave (weeks 39 through 53, 21 September 2020 to 3 January 2021 inclusive), the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) reported 5,814 COVID-19 deaths based on data received from the municipal health services (GGD). In the same period, CBS registered 9,593 confirmed COVID-19 deaths based on cause-of-death certificates. In addition, there were 331 deaths from suspected COVID-19 as the underlying cause of death. Altogether, this is 9,924 COVID-19 deaths.

There are several explanations for the discrepancies between CBS and RIVM figures. Firstly, there may have been cause of death forms carrying the indication COVID-19 as the cause of death based on the clinical picture, but not confirmed by laboratory testing. These deaths are not included in the RIVM figures. Secondly, deaths which were confirmed cases of COVID-19 and tested positive in the laboratory may not have been reported as such to the municipal health services (GGD) (partially because there is no reporting obligation for COVID-19 deaths), which also means they are not included in the RIVM figures. Furthermore, reported mortality figures over previous periods are still subject to revision, due to more data on COVID-19 deaths over earlier periods that are received by RIVM at a later stage. CBS will update the figures on causes of death when these data have also been processed.