COVID-19 to blame for 20,000 excess deaths last year: report
Most of the excess deaths were among people aged over 65, but researchers say all age groups were affected.
Australia amassed nearly 20,000 more deaths last year than expected, and experts say COVID-19 is largely to blame.
The total excess mortality for the full 2022 calendar year was an estimated 12%, equating to around 19,800 more deaths than would have been predicted if not for the pandemic, the Actuaries Institute has found.
The excess mortality was 11% between January and November last year, equating to more than 17,900 deaths.
An estimate for December took the yearly figure to 19,800.
