In a health context where the Covid-19 pandemic and dengue epidemic combine, the number of deaths occurring in Réunion in the first half of 2021 increases sharply compared to 2019, announced INSEE in a publication of August 19. From January to June 2021, 2,780 people living in Reunion Island have died, i.e. 360 more deaths than in 2019 (+15%). In the first quarter of 2021, the number of deaths increased by only 5% compared to 2019. But excess mortality is observed from March and in the second quarter of 2021, the excess deaths are 26% compared to 2019, in connection with the sharp deterioration of the health situation. From July 1 to 26, the number of deaths recorded as of August 6 still remained significantly higher than the 2019 level : +15%. “However, this number is still provisional and will be revised upwards in the coming weeks”, indicates INSEE. Women are more affected by this excess mortality, which only concerns people over 65 years old, that men. In the first quarter of 2021, there were 60 more female deaths than in 2019 (+11%), while the number of male deaths was stable. In the second quarter of 2021, deaths increase by 36% among women, twice as much as for men.
