Sask. might not have counted all COVID-19 deaths, excess mortality numbers suggest – CBC

Data from Statistics Canada shows that Saskatchewan recorded 1,288 excess mortalities in 2021

May 18, 2022

Data from Statistics Canada and confirmation from the Saskatchewan government indicate the province might have undercounted COVID-19 deaths in 2021.

It’s the result of a figure known as excess mortality, which happens when more deaths occur during a certain period of time than what would be typically expected.

Data from the federal agency shows that last year Saskatchewan recorded 11,115 deaths. With only 9,833 deaths expected that year, Saskatchewan experienced 1,288 excess mortalities.

Saskatchewan only recorded 839 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in 2021.

The province’s Ministry of Health confirmed in a statement that it’s possible the province has not counted all deaths caused by COVID-19.

“There could be some proportion of the excess mortality that may be unreported COVID-19 deaths,” the province said.

The admission — as well as the data from Statistics Canada — does not mean that all excess deaths can be attributed to COVID-19.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/excess-mortality-sask-covid-1.6447074

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