Covid’s grim toll: 600 extra deaths in Tasmania in 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic contributed to hundreds more deaths in Tasmania in 2022, an analysis of mortality figures has found — and hundreds more than the official death toll.

A stock image of a positive result on a Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

The Covid-19 pandemic contributed to more than 600 additional deaths in Tasmania in 2022, an analysis of mortality figures has found.

Actuaries Institute compared the number of deaths recorded last year with the number of deaths that might be statistically expected based on long-term trends.

The Institutes Covid-19 Mortality Working Group found more than 20,000 excess deaths nationwide – with 600 in Tasmania.

The state’s official death toll for the entire pandemic since 2020 is 253.

Nationally, the number of deaths was 11 per cent higher than expected.

Tasmania experienced the highest increase in additional deaths in the nation with a 15 per cent increase over what might otherwise be expected.

Actuaries Institute Covid-19 Mortality Working Group spokeswoman Karen Cutter said that to have such a large spike in mortality nationwide over a 12-month period was exceptional.

“It is not within normal levels of fluctuation in non-pandemic times,” she said.

“Covid-19 accounts for about half of this excess, and we are also seeing a significant amount of excess mortality that is not recorded as due to Covid-19 on death certificates.
“While it is likely that Covid-19 was a catalyst for the deaths of those dying with Covid-19, there are a large number of excess deaths with no documented Covid-19 involvement.”

The report said contributing factors that would have added to the number of deaths from Covid — and with Covid — possibly included longer-term complications from Covid infection, delays in both routine and emergency care, a slowing down of the respiratory death rate from other causes early in the pandemic and undiagnosed Covid.

Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff.

Greens health spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff said the figures were shocking.

“In Tasmania 600 more people died last year than expected, mostly due to Covid – the highest increase in excess deaths across the country,” Dr Woodruff said.

“Each of these people were loved members of our community.

“The Liberals have adopted a ‘let it rip’ approach to Covid, and removed all protections to limit the community spread of this dangerous airborne virus.

“Our death rate is higher now than at any time in the pandemic, but the Liberals have zero acknowledgment and response to match the problem. Where are their hearts for people? Vulnerable Tasmanians aren’t fully vaccinated, children under five completely unprotected, it’s hard to get antivirals, and there is no plan to resource clean air standards.

“We’re dealing with the worst public disaster in recent history but Jeremy Rockliff is silent, and complicit in this tragic, avoidable loss of lives.”

A government spokesman rejected the criticism.

“We reopened as one of the safest and most highly vaccinated places in the world which helped to minimise the impact of Covid on Tasmania’s most vulnerable,” they said in a statement.

“That’s why our decisions have been informed by Public Health advice right throughout the pandemic and will continue to do so.

“In contrast, the Greens continue to disgracefully play politics with Covid while actively undermining public health advice at every step.”