1,420 COVID-19 deaths in Q2 2022

COVID-19 was the confirmed cause of death in 3.5 percent of over 41 thousand deaths in the second quarter. It accounted for 8.3 percent of over 43 thousand deaths in the previous quarter. Two thirds of the 1,420 COVID deaths were 80 years of age or older. Six percent were under the age of 65.

COVID-19 mortality relatively higher among long-term care users

In the first week of April, COVID-19 was the confirmed death cause in 12 percent of deaths among long-term care (Wlz) users. These include residents of nursing homes and institutions for the disabled. The share subsequently declined to a few percent but increased again to 6 percent in the last week of June (week 26).

Among the rest of the population, the share of COVID-19 deaths was relatively lower compared to long-term care recipients. At the beginning of April, this was six percent and declined to a few percent; it subsequently rose to 4 percent in the last week of June.

Excess mortality in Q2

With the exception of the last week of May, more people died than expected in each week of April, May and June. There was excess mortality among long-term care recipients and over-65s in particular.

Elevated mortality due to respiratory diseases

In the second quarter of this year, 46 percent fewer people died of COVID-19 than in the same quarter one year previously. Respiratory diseases accounted for more deaths than in the second quarter of 2021 and the preceding years. This may be related to the influenza epidemic which occurred in the Netherlands for 13 weeks, starting mid-March.

COVID-19 mortality figures

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 what is published by CBS on the basis of registered death causes. The reason for this is 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 publishes weekly mortality figures <link>, before any information is known on the causes of death.
From March 2020 to 30 June 2022 inclusive, based on data that were received from the municipal health services (GGD), RIVM reported 22,379 COVID-19 deaths (as at 17 October 2022). In the same period, based on cause-of-death certificates, CBS registered 44,760 deaths due to confirmed or suspected COVID-19.