Russian excess deaths over summer outstrip COVID toll by more than 3 to 1

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-mortality-idUSKBN2652CO

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The number of excess deaths in Russia between May and July was more than three times higher than the official coronavirus toll, recent government data show, a discrepancy some experts say raises questions about the accuracy of Moscow’s counting.

While Russia has confirmed the world’s fourth largest tally of coronavirus cases, it has a relatively low death toll from the associated disease, COVID-19.

Moscow says the way it classifies deaths is more accurate than other nations. Some Russian health officials have explained that in many cases, a patient who dies with COVID-19 does not necessarily die of it but from other causes including pre-existing health problems.

Tatiana Golikova, the head of Russia’s coronavirus crisis centre, told President Vladimir Putin in late July that Russia’s coronavirus mortality rate was “significantly lower than in a range of other countries”.

*snip*

[fleur-de-lisa]

1. I'm sure it's a coincidence, probably just polonium tea mishaps or window 'accidents.'