COVID-19 mortality in Belgrade

Abstract

Introduction: Mortality data are the most reliable indicators of the number of lives that a community has lost due to COVID-19 and represent the minimum data necessary for public health decision-making. Aim: The aim of the study is to describe the basic characteristics of population mortality from COVID-19 in Belgrade in 2020. Methods: The unit of observation in this cross-sectional study for the description of mortality from COVID-19 in 2020 was the population of Belgrade (total, by sex, and by age intervals). COVID-19 was analyzed as the main cause of death (ICD-10: U071, U072). The number and the structure of deaths (%), the crude death rate (per 1,000 population) and the specific death rate (per 100,000 population) were analyzed. The data sources for the study were official statistics on vital events of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. Results: In 2020, 10.5% of the total number of deaths were due to COVID-19, and the majority of deaths was from the male contingent of Belgrade residents. The mortality rate due to COVID-19 was 158.78 per 100,000 population (211.7 for males and 111.4 for females). COVID-19 was the second leading cause of death in Belgrade. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the existence of premature mortality in Belgrade. In 2020, COVID-19 was the second leading cause of death among the male residents of Belgrade, while in female residents, it was the third leading cause of mortality. This research provides evidence that can contribute to the international discussion about societal losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.