The statistics method for deaths related to COVID-19 is being clarified – 50 deaths removed from the National Infectious Diseases Register
Press release has been modified 18.6.2021: The names of Statics Finland’s information sources have been corrected.
The definition of COVID-19 deaths is being clarified in the National Infectious Diseases Register. If the infectious disease notification made by a physician indicates that the patient passed for a reason other than COVID-19, they will be removed from the coronavirus death statistics.
This clarification is based on the fact that determining cause of death is always based on a physician’s assessment. If a physician estimates that a patient did not die from COVID-19, this will now be taken into account in statistics.
By clarifying the statistical method, the total number of deaths related to COVID-19 is reduced by 50 in National Infectious Diseases Register statistics. Accounting for the change in definition, a total of 970 deaths related to coronavirus have been recorded during the entire pandemic up until 16 June 2021.
“This is a necessary change so that the statistical method we use takes more accurately into account other information that’s available in the National Infectious Diseases Register. Thanks to this change, there will also be a considerably smaller disparity between the Register and THL’s primary reporting of coronavirus deaths, which is based on numbers reported by hospital districts. With this change, we will have more accurate information on coronavirus deaths”, explains Statistical Researcher Oskari Luomala from THL.
If information on a death has not been obtained from a notification of infectious disease made by a physician, the death is recorded in the National Infectious Diseases Register as a death related to coronavirus infection and COVID-19 when it has occurred within 30 days of a positive coronavirus test result.
THL primarily publishes the numbers of coronavirus deaths reported by hospital districts and also the figures collected from the National Infectious Diseases Register. This change only applies to National Infectious Diseases Register statistics and does not affect the numbers reported by hospital districts.
Causes of death are recorded when a person dies
When a person dies, a physician records the cause of death and the basic causes of death. The immediate cause of death indicates the direct cause of death as assessed by the physician. The basic cause of death indicates what led to the immediate cause of death.
For COVID-19, the immediate cause of death may be something like severe respiratory failure, but the basic cause of death is a viral COVID-19 infection. There may also be other contributing factors, such as underlying conditions. If the physician has identified the cause of death to be another reason, they have estimated that the death has been caused by something other than COVID-19.
The National Infectious Diseases Register is not an official register of causes of death. Instead, it responds to the rapid need for information caused by the epidemic. Deaths in the National Infectious Diseases Register are recorded by physicians and are not confirmed by a medicolegal officer. Statistics Finland compiles annual statistics on causes of death and developments in mortality rates. Statistics Finland also maintains the archive of death certificates used to disclose information contained in death certificates or deliver copies of death certificates for purposes specified in legislation.
Further information:
Oskari Luomala
Statistical Researcher
THL
[email protected]
