Spine-chilling statistics … According to the Insee (National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies), coronavirus caused a 50% more excessive death rate in Europe between late March and early April 2020. Among the countries the most hit: France, Spain, Belgium and Italy. Compared with last year, with seasonal flue-related death, statistics have dramatically increased this year especially on March 30’s week, the Insee says.
The institute states that between March 30 and April 6, 50% of deaths have been noticed in Europe, “in comparison with a median based on the death toll the same week for the 2016-2019 period” our peers at BFMTV explain, along with the AFP. In France, this increase even reaches 60% while in Spain, it skyrockets with 155% more deaths on the same period. In Italy, it reaches 91%, and 67% more deaths in Belgium. Excessive death rate then significantly and progressively decreased and stopped in May.
Covering a period from March 2 to April 26, data change a bit… 71% in Spain, 49% in Italy, 44% in Belgium and 28% in France over the eight weeks, when the epidemic has been the strongest. Note that in Germany, it has been the contrary. The country reported a lower mortality, 4% on the very same period, than the other four countries.