Covid-19 is generally a mild disease in children, including infants. However, a small proportion may develop severe disease requiring ICU admission and prolonged ventilation. Fatal outcome is overall rare.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation also predicts a Covid-19 death toll of over half a million in China by April 1, 2023, in a scenario without social distancing mandates.
Although Anwar Ibrahim claims Malaysia has the highest number of Covid-19 deaths globally at 36,000, official figures show that Malaysia has the 29th highest toll. Per capita, Malaysia’s Covid death rate is highest in Asean and among the highest in Asia.
Covid-19 overtook heart disease as Malaysia’s principal cause of death in 2021 and was the leading cause of maternal death (57%) and people aged 15 to 40 years (21%); a bigger percentage of adults aged below 60 died from Covid than senior citizens.
According to MOH research, the highest fall in life expectancy per capita occured in Selangor with 3,473 extra years lost per 100,000 people, and among men at 2,132 years per 100,000 people.
Between 12,000 and 47,000 excess deaths were projected in Malaysia during the Covid-19 pandemic as of April 26, 2022; daily estimated excess deaths peaked mid-March this year.
19,000 fewer deaths were estimated in Malaysia March 2020-June 2021 than expected pre-pandemic, attributed to lower mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Kubang Pasu MP Amiruddin Hamzah says long Covid victims’ death certs omit mention of long Covid or their initial Covid-19 condition, stating only certain complications as the cause of death.
Reported Covid deaths among adults aged 40-59 with comorbidities were 171% higher than in seniors aged 60+ without underlying health issues from Feb 6-March 12, 2022.