So far in 2024, deaths from Covid-19 have decreased significantly in Chile, far from the worst moments of the pandemic: until September 17, according to official data from the Ministry of Healthhave been registered 814 deaths.
The figure contrasts sharply with that of previous years, reflecting a decrease in 58,74% compared to the same period in 2023, when they were reported 1,973 deathsand an even more pronounced decline in 96,1% in relation to 2021, the year that marked the peak of mortality, with 20,884 deaths.
However, it is also noted that although the figures suggest that the virus has so far slowed down, lethalitythere are still risks, especially among the most vulnerable populations.
This is reflected in the demographic characteristics of those who died during 2024. The average age of deceased persons is 76.5 yearsindicating that the virus continues to affect mainly older peoplewith an almost equal distribution between genders: 431 menwith an average age of 75.8 yearsy 383 womenwith an average of 77.2 years.
This trend has been constant throughout the pandemic and highlights the importance of protecting this population group, which has been one of the most affected since the beginning of the health crisis. Because of them, in August the Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunizations (CAVEI) recommended to the Minsal the idea of incorporating the Covid-19 vaccine into the National Immunization Program (PNI).
In other words, the Vaccination would be integrated as a permanent public health measure in Chile, similar to other vaccines such as influenza or measles, with the same Target groups that exist now: People over 60 years of age, immunocompromised patients, health professionals, people with chronic diseases and pregnant women, as long as they have been vaccinated for one year since their last dose.
In this regard, experts agree that a key factor that has contributed to the decrease in mortality due to Covid-19 in 2024 is the call “hybrid immunity”.
According to the infectious disease specialist Barros Luco Hospital, Ignacio Silvathis immunity, which combines the protection offered by vaccines with the natural immunity acquired after having suffered the disease, has proven to be more effective and long lasting than either one separately.
“Today we have a significant population that has received its scheme of vaccination and who has also suffered from the disease, which largely explains the reduction in deaths”, he says The Third.
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Another relevant element in the reduction of deaths is the evolution of the virus itself. The most recent variants, although more contagious, have proven to be less virulentthat is, less aggressive in their clinical manifestation. This, combined with greater immunization in the population, has resulted in fewer severe cases and, consequently, a significant drop in deaths.
“The new variants are easier to transmit, but we have also seen that they are less severe, which has helped mortality figures continue to fall,” says Silva.
For its part, Hector Sanchezexecutive director of the Public Health Institute of the Andrés Bello University, believes that the decrease is related to several reasons: lower incidence and prevalence of the disease due to greater immunity, permanent vaccination of the population at risk and learning of the population for early detection of the disease; the permanence of the vaccination plan for risk groups and coverage rates; that we have learned to take care of ourselves from Covid; and that health systems have learned and have skills to manage the population. “Sick people are better managed and they are prevented from reaching the extreme of being at risk of dying,” he says.
Meanwhile, the infectious disease specialist from the University of Chile, Reinaldo Rosassays there are two factors, the first being the vaccination status of the population, while the other points to herd immunity. “All these people who are vaccinated protect the small percentage who have never been vaccinated or who have never been infected,” he explains.
The distribution of deaths by Covid-19 At the regional level, it shows that some areas continue to be more affected than others. Metropolitan Region leads the number of deaths this year, with a total of 252 deathswhich represents almost a third of the national total. This figure is also reflected in the communes with the highest number of deaths, where Maipu tops the list at the country level with 25followed by Florida y Chilláneach with 22 deaths.
Other regions of the country also show an impact. In Valparaiso have been registered 99 deathswhile the Biobío has reported 108. Smaller regions, such as Ñublehave registered 44 deathswhile in Coquimbo The figures amount to 56. Meanwhile, in the northern area it is much lower, as in Antofagasta y Coquimbowhere they were registered 25 y 18 deaths, respectively.
The youngest people to die in 2024 were a two year old boy in Osorno and another minor of the same age in Pudahuel. On the other hand, the oldest was a 113 year old woman, in Puerto Montt.
Although the data is encouraging, experts warn that the preventive measures They remain essential, especially for the most vulnerable people. Rosas also warns that “risk groups have shifted to those with chronic diseases, with a weakened immune system, and older adults,” causing “the virus and the new variants to have the ability to produce severe pneumonia and patients who are admitted to mechanical ventilation.”
