Almost all of those who died from Covid-19 had other medical conditions on their death certificates, according to a new analysis by the Central Statistics Office.
Covid-19 was reported as the single cause of 183 deaths during the pandemic, whereas 5,201 deaths (almost 97 per cent) were certified as having had Covid-19 and at least one other medical condition.
These medical conditions could be pre-existing or complications of Covid-19.
The latest CSO analysis focuses on deaths due to Covid-19 occurring in Ireland between March 1st, 2020 and February 28th, 2022, classified according to their accompanying medical conditions.
No work phone? Companies that tell staff to bring their own could be walking into danger
‘Writing a Christmas card list makes you think about who you value. It’s a very mindful exercise’
The secret loves of property writers: Our top 10 favourite homes of 2024
Sally Rooney: When are we going to have the courage to stop the climate crisis?
A death due to Covid-19 differs from a death with Covid-19, in that Covid-19 is identified as the main underlying cause of death in those who died due to Covid-19, while it is one of a number of conditions listed in deaths certified as a death with Covid-19,” explained CSO statistician Gerard Doolan.
In the CSO analysis, the virus was identified as the underlying cause of death in 5,384 cases. Overall, it was reported as a medical condition in 6,255 cases during the period.
Four in five deaths from Covid-19 had at least three medical conditions mentioned on the death record. Death certificates listed 4.2 conditions on average per person.
The largest number of accompanying conditions of Covid-19 deaths were diseases of the respiratory system, which were reported in 5,279 (or 98 per cent) of virus deaths.
Pneumonia was certified as a condition in 3,023 — 56 per cent — of Covid-19 deaths. Chronic lower respiratory diseases were stated on 948 (or 18 per cent) of death certificates, of which 714 (or 13 per cent) had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Covid-19 was certified in 18 per cent of all asthma deaths, and in 19 per cent of all obesity deaths.
The CSO says 91 per cent of Covid-19 deaths occurred in people aged 65 and over; 75 per cent in people aged 75 and over; and 42 per cent in people aged 85 and over.
More males died due to Covid-19 (53 per cent) than women.
According to the Department of Health, there were 325 patients with Covid-19 in hospital on Tuesday, down from 361 the previous day. This included 16 patients in ICU, down two.
