1.6 thousand COVID-19 deaths in March

In March, monthly mortality from COVID-19 reached its lowest level since the end of September, when the second wave of coronavirus began. There were 37 percent fewer COVID-19 deaths than in February.

Figures on causes of death are based on the cause-of-death certificates that are completed by an attending medical practitioner. CBS receives these certificates via the municipality where the death occurred. The figures presented in this news release are based on 97 percent of all cause-of-death certificates received in January and February 2021 and on 95 percent of those in March 2021. CBS also publishes mortality statistics on a weekly basis. The numbers are based on death records received by CBS on a daily basis from the municipalities. These records do not contain any information about the cause of death.

Nearly 500 COVID-19 deaths among long-term care users in March

In March 2021, there were 499 COVID-19 deaths among people receiving care under the Long-term Care Act (Wlz). This is over 850 fewer than in February. Fifty-six percent (16,079) of the 28,741 deaths caused by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 and registered since March 2020 were people who had been receiving long-term care, such as in a nursing home. The share of COVID-19 deaths among long-term care users declined to 31 percent in March. This was still 26 percent in week 12 (22 to 28 March inclusive).

With 11 percent of deaths, COVID-19 became a less common cause of death among long-term care recipients in March; in January, it was still 37 percent. This share also declined among the rest of the population, from 18 percent in January to 12 percent in March.

Decline continued into March

During the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of COVID-19 deaths increased steadily, from 139 in week 39 (21 to 29 September 2020 inclusive) to 1,181 in week 53 (28 December 2020 to 3 January 2021 inclusive). In the latter week, 29 percent of all deaths were due to COVID-19. Subsequently, the weekly number of COVID-19 deaths declined, to 322 in the last week of March (11 percent of all deaths that week).

Gradual decline in mortality from other causes of death

The provisional figures from November 2020 through January 2021 show that mortality from causes of death other than COVID-19 is stable. Just as in previous years, there was a decline in February and March 2021.

Data sources for CBS and RIVM

From the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020 to 31 March 2021 inclusive, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) reported 16,636 COVID-19 deaths based on data received from the municipal health services (GGD). In the same period, CBS registered 25,897 confirmed COVID-19 deaths based on cause-of-death certificates. In addition, there were 2,844 deaths from suspected COVID-19 as the underlying cause of death. Altogether, this is 28,741 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 (directly) reported as such to the GGD (partially because there is no reporting obligation for COVID-19 deaths). This 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.

CBS will switch from monthly to quarterly reports on causes of death. Figures for Q2 will be published in mid-October.