(ANSA) - MOSCOW, NOV 18 - The real numbers of deaths in Russia due to Covid-19 could be "up to six times" higher than what was declared by the authorities.
This is supported by AlexeiRaksha, a demographer and former employee of Rosstat, the Russian statistical institute.
According to Raksha, in fact, the most accurate indicator to evaluate the real situation of the pandemic (in each country, ed) is the excess of mortality.
The term refers to a temporary increase in mortality in a population compared to that predicted on the basis of the average of previous years.
Well, in Russia the excess of mortality is "on the rise since last May".
Rosstat in fact reports that, according to the results of the first nine months of the year, 1.45 million people died in Russia, or 103,000 more than the previous year.
To date, according to official data, the deaths from Covid in Russia are34,387.
But, according to Raksha, Russian regions do not report 70-80% of deaths associated with the coronavirus and, according to his forecasts, in the best case, Russia will have 250-260,000 excess deaths by the end of the year (and does not rule out an increase until to 300,000 dead).
With these dynamics, Russia, for Raksha, could become one of the first countries in the world for excess mortality.
"Now we have already overtaken the United States, Italy, France, Belgium and, perhaps, Great Britain. In front is Spain, where there was a very strong first wave. In the worst case, we will overcome it", Raksha says.
According to the expert, the main problem is the incorrect data provided by the various bodies and departments.
(HANDLE).
