Deaths from February to April this year increased by 7% compared to the same period last year... Previous two months saw a decrease compared to last year

897,960 Deaths Over Three Months, 5,903 More Than Last Year
"Scientific Analysis Needed for Causes of Increased Deaths"

The number of deaths from February to April reached 89,796, an increase of 7% (5,903 people) compared to the same period last year. Since the medical vacancy caused by the resignation of residents protesting the increase in medical school admissions in February, the number of deaths has been rising compared to the same months of the previous year. Experts pointed out the need to analyze the causes of the increase in the number of deaths.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to Statistics Korea on the 11th, the number of deaths in February was 29,977, a 9.6% increase compared to the same month last year. In March and April, 31,160 and 28,659 people died, respectively, marking increases of 7.6% and 4% compared to the same months last year. In the previous three months, the number of deaths in November last year increased by 0.3% compared to the same month the previous year, while December last year and January this year decreased by 3.2% and 0.5%, respectively. The death rate increase significantly rose starting in February.

Experts explained that it is not possible to estimate the cause of the increase in deaths based solely on simple statistical figures. Professor Jung Hyung-sun of Yonsei University’s Department of Health Administration said, "We cannot recklessly talk about the cause without looking at more detailed factors," adding, "It is necessary to compare with the number of deaths before the COVID-19 pandemic and to control and analyze various variables related to death." Professor Cho Young-tae of Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Public Health also said, "To find the exact cause, it is necessary to scientifically analyze whether it is due to the increase in the elderly population, the aftereffects of COVID-19 appearing this spring, or the medical vacancy."

Professor Park Eun-chul of Yonsei University College of Medicine’s Department of Preventive Medicine said, "It is necessary to accurately verify the cause of the monthly death increase of more than 7% even though the COVID-19 pandemic has ended," adding, "There seems to be quite a lot of data to analyze (to clarify the specific cause)," and "If an analysis of the causes of death from February to April is possible, it could provide a hint to understand the cause of the increase in deaths."