[Brad Lockyer]

A study from the Actuaries Institute has found almost 20,000 more Australians than expected died in the last 12 months, a death toll it says is the worst since World War II.

The excess deaths are being blamed on COVID, which has also been responsible for higher-than-average death counts in the previous two years as well.

Diving deeper, just over half the deaths counted had COVID-19 listed as cause of death and a further 2900 cases had COVID listed as a contributing factor.

But that still leaves 6600 excess deaths unaccounted for.

Karen Cutter, spokesperson for the Actuaries Institute, says she still believes the pandemic played a role in deaths even where COVID wasn’t listed.

“Firstly, mortality risk is higher subsequent to an acute Covid infection, and most Australians have now had COVID-19,” she said.

“Secondly, people have not accessed medical care when needed, either through inability (in emergency situations) or through fear/lack of opportunity (thus missing routine care earlier in the pandemic).

What do you think is to blame for the excess deaths?

[Author]

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