Covid: Lancet study revises Britain's mortality

THE UK's death rate from coronavirus is much less than many other European nations when "a more comprehensive measure of the total impact" is factored in, according to new peer-reviewed research.

Deaths from coronavirus that were officially recorded "represent only a partial count of the total death toll" across the globe when excess mortalities are factored in, a new scientific study has found. The Lancet study published on Thursday suggested the UK's death rate dropped significantly down the global rankings when the new measurement was factored in.

The study is entitled: "Estimating excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic analysis of COVID-19-related mortality, 2020–21."

After factoring in excess deaths during the pandemic from all causes, the UK is now 29th in Europe and ninth in Western Europe in terms of death rate from (with) covid.

Clinical Epidemiologist Dr Raghob Ali tweeted: "Far from the UK having the worst death rate in Europe, or even Western Europe, as many still think, it is actually 29th in Europe and 9th in Western Europe.

"This is below the Western European average and at the same level as France and Germany, no statistically significant difference."

Coronavirus mortality statistics have been at the foundation of the major public health-related decisions imposed by authorities on populations around the world.

Taking into account excess deaths from all causes during the pandemic is considered "a crucial measure of the true toll of the COVID-19 pandemic".

The study claimed the "reliability of reported deaths varies greatly between locations and over time".

So, after factoring in the excess deaths during the period from January 2020 to December 2021, the death toll in nations such as Mexico, Russia and Brazil become considerably higher.

However, in the UK, when factoring in excess deaths during the same period it suggests that the UK's mortality rate was overestimated.

The study rates the UK 102nd out of 191 countries for excess deaths.