Didier Willaert, data analyst at the National Association of Socialist Mutualities, made an assessment of social inequalities in excess mortality during the first COVID-19 wave, by using individual data from the members of the Socialist Mutuality (~30% of the Belgian population). The results showed that vulnerable groups such as the elderly, diabetes patients and people with a higher allowance were hit harder by the corona crisis. The data confirmed that the excess mortality hit mainly among elderly people in residential care centers and much less among elderly people who stay at home. The provincial differences were also striking.

The full report is available via https://corporate.devoorzorg-bondmoyson.be/pers-onderzoek/oversterfte-door-corona/.

The corresponding press release is available via https://corporate.devoorzorg-bondmoyson.be/pers-onderzoek/meer-oversterfte-door-corona-bij-kwetsbare-groepen/.

The analyses were also covered by the media, e.g. https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20201014_93638741.