Excess Mortality

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Key messages:

Excess mortality occurs when there are more deaths during a period of time than what would be expected for that period, if there was no pandemic.

• Measures direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19.
• Statistics Canada continues to modernize vital statistics program to meet demand for more timely information on mortality in Canada.

Excess mortality was observed across Canada since the start of the pandemic.

• The number of deaths in Canada was higher than expected starting in March and returned to normal levels in June.
• The largest provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia all experienced varying levels of excess mortality over this period.
• Excess mortality has been similar for both sexes and has disproportionately affected those over the age of 85.

COVID-19 has claimed over 9,000 Canadian lives

COVID-19 continues to impact Canadians - many have lost family members and friends to the pandemic.

As of September 27, 2020, there were 9,268 deaths due to COVID in Canada

• Death rate, among confirmed cases, of 6.1%
• 71% of deaths occurred among those 80+ years of age – many who were living in long-term care settings

Age and gender distribution of COVID-19 cases deceased in Canada as of September 27, 2020, 7 pm EDT (n=9,207)

Count of deaths related to COVID-19 in Canada as of September 27, 2020

Excess mortality in the time of COVID-19 – measuring the direct and indirect impact on Canadian lives due to the pandemic

Excess mortality - the number of deaths in Canada was higher than expected starting in March 2020 and returned to normal levels in June 2020.

• The largest provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia all experienced varying levels of excess mortality over this period.
• Excess mortality has been similar for both sexes and has disproportionately affected those over the age of 85.

Provisional adjusted weekly number of deaths, expected number of deaths and COVID-19-related deaths, Quebec

Indirect impacts - Non-COVID related deaths account for some of the excess mortality during the pandemic

Excess non-COVID related deaths may occur due to measures put in place to address the pandemic such as missed or delayed medical interventions and other possible changes in behaviour such as increased substance use.

• In British Columbia, there were 336 more deaths than expected from the middle of March to the end of April - 232 more than the 104 deaths reportedly attributed to COVID-19 over the same period.
• These excess deaths, not directly attributed to COVID-19, may be due to underreporting in the early phases of the pandemic or to indirect consequences

Provisional adjusted weekly number of deaths, expected number of deaths and COVID-19-related deaths, British Columbia

• British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta have reported increases in overdose fatalities since the pandemic began
• Increase in fatal overdoses may be due to…
  • Closing of support services such as safe injection sites
  • Increase in fentanyl concentrations

Looking forward

• Continued monthly releases on excess mortality
• New insights looking at causes of death
  • Excess deaths by cause
  • Disaggregation of deaths caused by COVID-19