Number of COVID-19 deaths with co-morbidities recorded on death certificate
Dear Department of Health,
On 25 March 2020, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) promulgated a directive from the World Health Organisation for certifying deaths due to COVID-19.
The directive states:
“COVID-19 should be recorded on the medical cause of death certificate for ALL decedents where the disease caused, or is assumed to have caused, or contributed to death.”
The directive also states:
“Co-morbidities. Existing conditions, especially those which are chronic in nature, that may have also contributed to death should be certified in Part II of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. Chronic conditions may include but are not limited to: coronary artery disease, COPD, diabetes, cancer or disabilities.”
Causation and contribution are different medical constructs.
The ABS directives potentially conflate the statistics being reported to the Australian public.
We seek a copy of the document listing the number of COVID-19 decedents who passed away with co-morbidities recorded in Part II of their medical cause of death certificates.
Yours faithfully,
Jaay-H
Dear Jaay-H,
Please find attached correspondence in relation to your Freedom of
Information request to the Department of Health.
Kind regards,
Jack
FOI and Legislation Section
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Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
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Australian Government Department of Health
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