According to official data, Western Europe is not the continent’s capital for excessive deaths.
While the initial pandemic was a disaster for countries such as the UK, Spain and Italy, and Belgium, it has now been shifted to the East by nations like Poland and Bulgaria.
A major analysis by the Office for National Statistics looked at excess deaths — the number of fatalities from all causes above the five-year average — on the continent from the start of Covid to mid-2021.
This study revealed that the number of deaths in excess of average across Europe was almost equal to those caused by coronavirus, or from lockdowns.
A few exceptions exist, such as the Scandinavian nations, who have maintained low case rates and excessive deaths, except for anti-lockdown Sweden.
120,000 people died in the UK during the pandemic, with an increase in non-Covid deaths within people’s homes. It has been referred to by experts as a ‘silent crisis’.
Interactive maps from the ONS show that excess death trends have followed the exact same path as Covid waves. Western European countries were hit hardest by excess deaths early in the pandemic because of their close proximity to Italy, the continent’s original epicentre. These were mostly Covids, even though not all were detected in early testing.
There has been an improvement in the second half of 2021, as wealthy EU member countries stockpiled on vaccines and squashed Covid death rate.
It is no coincidence that Eastern European nations — where uptake of the jabs remain low — made up seven of the 10 countries with the highest excess death rates by June this year.
The week ended June 18th saw the most excess deaths in Poland, which had 23% more than its five-year average. Bulgaria (21%), and the Czech Republic (22%) were close behind. The worst five were Slovakia (17%) and Romania (14%), then Slovenia (10%) and Hungary (10%)
However, in Western Europe, England was the most populous (7%) followed by Spain (6.5%), Scotland (5%) and Wales (4%) respectively. As a country, the UK had an average rate of 6.7% higher than in June.
By the middle of the summer, eight countries in Europe has below average excess mortality — Denmark, Cyprus, Finland, Iceland, Malta, Norway, Luxembourg, and Sweden. Norway had the lowest excess mortality rate at -12%
Eastern European countries are far behind Western Europe in terms of vaccinations. This is contributing to Covid mortality and excess deaths. Figures show that only 25% of Bulgarians are fully protected against Covid, as compared with around 66% in France, Germany, and the UK. Romania does slightly better, with only 35% of its population having been vaccinated. Slovakia however has gotten more than 40%. The Czech Republic, Poland, and Czech Republic have higher uptakes than 50%.
The week ended June 18th saw the most excess deaths in Poland, which had 23 percent more than its five-year average. Bulgaria (21%), and the Czech Republic (22%) were close behind.
The worst five countries are Slovakia (17%) and Romania (14%), followed closely by Slovenia (10%) and Hungary (10%).
However, in Western Europe, England was at 7.5% (6.5%) Spain (5.6%), Scotland (5%) and Wales (4%) were the highest. As a country, the rate was 6.7% higher than average in June.
By the middle of summer 2021, eight countries in Europe had below average excess mortality — Denmark, Cyprus, Finland, Iceland, Malta, Norway, Luxembourg, and Sweden. Norway had the lowest excess mortality rate at minus 12 percent.
The West is far ahead of Eastern European countries when it comes vaccinations. This contributes to Covid deaths, and thus excess mortality.
Only 25% of Bulgarians are fully immunized against Covid. This compares to the 65 percent in France, Germany and the UK.
Romania has slightly higher uptake with only 35% of its population jabbing, and Slovakia is at 42%. In Poland, the Czech Republic and elsewhere in Europe, uptake has reached more than 50%.
According to the ONS, the UK had more deaths due to all causes than the average for some weeks.
Enfield, Tower Hamlets and Tower Hamlets both suffered 226%, 24%, and 24% respectively, in the weeks January peak of the Covid wave.
Meanwhile, the ONS found that almost all countries had higher excess mortality in 2020 than in 2021, except for Portugal, Estonia and Hungary.
Because there is a high level of immunity due to vaccinations and natural protection from prior waves, fewer people die from Covid.
Recent weeks have seen a new wave of Covid infection on the continent, which has relegated nations to draconian measures and may see excessive deaths again.
Italy has been revealed to be considering locking down the unvaccinated. It would become the second country in the world to do so after Austria.
Germany’s new government stated that unvaccinated citizens should be prohibited from working and traveling on public transport. This is in response to what Angela Merkel called ‘dramatically high’ levels of infection. The Netherlands introduced a 7pm closing time for restaurants and pubs, in response to increasing cases.
Tomorrow in Ireland all nightclubs, pubs, and hospitality establishments, including nightclubs, will close at midnight. The use of Covid passports, which are available for purchase online, will also be increased. People will be encouraged to work remotely if possible.
The British government has rejected repeated pleas for implementation of its Plan B. This would have similar measures as those being imposed on Ireland. Boris Johnson acknowledged that full-blown lockdown might still be possible if the number of cases rises.
The UK’s position is slightly different from its European counterparts. It was the first European country to release lockdown, and remove all restrictions during summer. It is thought that this move led to frontloading cases in autumn. Scientists think it should prevent a peak in winter.