New figures released by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reveal that a total of 10.067 deaths occurred in the Netherlands between March and June 2020 as a result of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
CBS has revealed that in the first six months of 2020, more than 86.000 people died in the Netherlands. That is almost 9.000 more than in the first six months of 2019. Based on cause of death statements received by CBS from municipalities, this excess mortality can be entirely attributed to the coronavirus pandemic.
Furthermore, of those who died between March and June, 7.797 are said to have been diagnosed with coronavirus, and for an additional 2.270 deaths, the attending physician indicated that coronavirus was the suspected cause of death.
| Month | Confirmed COVID-19 | Suspected COVID-19 |
|---|---|---|
| March | 1.704 | 490 |
| April | 4.820 | 1.497 |
| May | 1.087 | 213 |
| June | 186 | 70 |
According to CBS, there was, therefore, a total of 10.067 deaths between March and June where the confirmed or suspected cause of death was COVID-19. This is significantly higher than the 6.115 reported by the National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM).
Nearly 6.000 of the 10.067 people that sadly died had been in long-term care, such as a nursing home or care home, according to the CBS. At the peak of mortality in April, more than half of the deaths of those in long-term care were caused by confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
The figures also show that more men than women have died as a result of the virus. In the first six months of 2020, 5.345 men died of confirmed or suspected COVID-19, compared to 4.722 women. Furthermore, per 100.000 inhabitants, more men than women died in all age groups.