953 COVID-19 deaths in third quarter of 2021

In July, 177 people died from COVID-19, in August 435 and in September 341.

Relatively more COVID-19 deaths among people under 80

From the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020 until September 2021 inclusive, a total of 32,408 people died with probable or confirmed COVID-19 as the cause of death. Sixty-three percent were 80 years or older, 30 percent were between the ages of 65 and 79, and 6 percent were under 65.

As of March 2021, a temporary change was visible in the ratio between the age groups, when relatively more people under 80 died due to COVID-19. In Q2 2021, 50 percent of all COVID-19 deaths were people between 65 and 79, 15 percent were under the age of 65 and 35 percent were older than 80. In Q3 2021, a small majority (56 percent) were over 80, 30 percent were aged 65 to 79 years and 14 percent were younger than 65.

Among 65 to 79-year-olds, weekly mortality was higher than expected mainly in June and July, CBS reported in an earlier news release. Mortality among the over-80s in July was around the expected level for that month. In the group of people under 65, there was excess mortality in April and in a few weeks of May and June.

4 in 10 COVID-19 deaths concerned long-term care recipients

Of those who died due to COVID-19 in Q3 2021, 42 percent (404) had been receiving care under the Long-term Care Act (Wlz), including residents of nursing homes and institutions for the disabled. This share was higher than in Q2, when it stood at 16 percent, but lower than in the four preceding quarters.

Excess mortality in August and September

In July, when there were relatively few COVID-19 deaths, weekly mortality was around the expected level for that month. In August (as of week 31) and September (as of week 35), there was excess mortality and the number of COVID-19 deaths rose again. Weekly mortality was higher than expected in the following period as well. Only in the last week of December was there no excess mortality.

Lower seasonal peaks in mortality from respiratory diseases

During the first wave of coronavirus, excess mortality was entirely attributable to COVID-19. During the subsequent waves at the end of 2020 and at the beginning of 2021, however, COVID-19 mortality was higher than excess mortality, and fewer people died from a number of other causes of death. There were mainly fewer deaths related to respiratory diseases during the peaks in the winter season. This was due to the absence of an influenza wave in Q1 2021. There were also fewer deaths from mental disorders and diseases of the nervous system (including Alzheimer's disease and dementia).

Excess mortality and COVID-19 mortality

Figures on causes of death are based on the cause-of-death certificates completed by an attending medical practitioner. These figures are processed by CBS and published after four months. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Dutch government report the number of COVID-19 deaths on a weekly basis. This number is lower than the number CBS publishes at a later stage on the basis of causes of death, due to the fact that there is no obligation to report COVID-19 deaths to RIVM. It is also possible that a medical practitioner establishes COVID-19 as the cause of death on the basis of the clinical picture without laboratory testing. CBS published weekly mortality figures (mortality per week), before information on causes of death is known.

From March 2020 to 30 September 2021 inclusive (as at 26 January 2022), RIVM reported 18,202 COVID-19 deaths based on data received from the municipal health services (GGD). In the same period, CBS registered 32,408 confirmed or suspected COVID-19 deaths based on cause-of-death certificates.