The COVID pandemic caused excess mortality in Israel – an epidemiological term used to measure increased mortality beyond what could have been expected under normal conditions – to jump by some 10% in 2020, according to a study by the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel.
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The research, conducted by Professor Alex Weinreb, demonstrated that Israel was relatively successful in protecting its elderly population during the pandemic. The two main population sectors hurt by COVID were Haredi Jews and Arabs, according to the study.
In addition, the research showed that from the end of July to October 2020, mortality in Israel rose to levels not seen in that season since the 1990s. While the increased mortality due to COVID in Israel was significant, it was lower than the excess mortality seen in other countries – such as the US, where it hit 18%.
According to Weinreb's research, the first few months of 2020, before any COVID cases were identified in Israel, saw record low mortality. Mortality in those months was 7% lower than in the same period for 2017-2019. The effects of COVID began to be seen at the end of March 2020, and spiked from July to September of that years.
Between the major outbreaks, the level of mortality in Israel dropped below what it had been in 2017-2019.
All in all, the study showed, excess mortality from COVID in Israel was lower than might have been expected, given the infection patterns. On average, the excess mortality translated into a two-month reduction in life expectancy from birth and a three-month reduction at age 65.
"It is important to remember that the flu outbreak of 2015 also reduced life expectancy in most European countries by more than three months, even countries with good healthcare systems," Weinreb explained.
"A drop of two months in average life expectancy in 2020 due to COVID is a relatively modest reduction," he added.
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