A new report shows how Covid-19 deaths are likely higher

HARROWING statistics released by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) of excess mortality indicate that more than 120 000 have likely died of Covid-19 in South Africa since last May, even though the official toll is just above 43 000.

More than 30 000 excess deaths have been recorded in January alone. The report was released as the country’s first batch of vaccines are due to arrive tomorrow.

If most of these excess deaths can be attributed to Covid-19, which South African experts believe they can, then the country’s death toll would be the highest as a proportion of its population in the world.

SAMRC’s chief specialist scientist, Professor Debbie Bradshaw said: “The number of extra deaths, over and above what we would normally expect, has been very high