Statistics Korea: "No Significant Excess Mortality Nationwide Since COVID-19"

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] On the 29th, Statistics Korea announced that since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), there has not been a nationwide occurrence of excess deaths significant enough to be considered beyond normal levels.

According to Statistics Korea, the number of deaths reported up to the 22nd week (~May 30) of January to June 2020 increased by 3,213 (2.5%) compared to the same weeks in 2019. Weeks that exceeded the maximum number of deaths recorded during the past three years (2017?2019) include the 11th week (155 deaths), 12th week (189 deaths), 15th week (185 deaths), and 18th week (385 deaths). Excess deaths refer to deaths occurring beyond the usual level and are used as data to understand the impact of crises such as infectious diseases on mortality.

Kim Sooyoung, Director of Population Trends at the Social Statistics Bureau of Statistics Korea, explained, "From a nationwide perspective, except for a brief period in early January to May, there were no cases exceeding the maximum values of the past three years," adding, "No continuous significant excess deaths have been identified." However, in the age group of 85 years and older, excess deaths compared to the maximum deaths of the past three years were confirmed, and regionally, temporary excess deaths appeared in Daegu, Busan, Incheon, and Gyeongbuk areas.

Regarding gender, males experienced excess deaths exceeding the maximum deaths of the past three years during weeks 6?7, 11?12, 15, and 18, while females experienced excess deaths during weeks 10?13 and 15?19. There was no significant difference in excess deaths between males and females.

Statistics Korea plans to provide provisional weekly nationwide death counts by sex, age, and region to allow verification of excess death occurrences, and will announce this data around the 20th of each month through the COVID-19 response homepage. Since factors such as aging and abnormal climate conditions, in addition to COVID-19, can influence excess deaths, caution is advised when interpreting the data. Therefore, the preparation methods and usage precautions will be provided together. Kang Shinwook, Commissioner of Statistics Korea, stated, "With the provision of excess death analysis data, it will become easier to understand the impact of COVID-19 on mortality," and added, "Based on this, swift and precise quarantine measures can be established."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.