Excess deaths ‘just an estimate’ and unconfirmed deaths from Covid-19 – health department

Funeral home staff prepare a grave for a Covid-19 victim at Waterval Cemetery, Johannesburg.

Despite a strong correlation between the timing and location of roughly 42,200 excess natural deaths and sudden increases in coronavirus cases and deaths, the health department said these deaths could not be definitively linked to Covid-19.

“Excess deaths [are] just an estimate of possible Covid-19 related deaths that may not be captured in death statistics; There is no confirmation that these deaths are actually related to Covid-19, “said former Acting Director General of Health Dr. Anban Pillay on Friday.

The department was asked to clarify its official position following conflicting comments about excess deaths by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, who initially admitted that the official death toll could be below the reported deaths, adding that he felt the official data was “accurate”.