COVID: Up to 50% excess deaths in Italy last yr - Eurostat

(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, FEB 16 - The mortality rate in Italy rose by almost 50% in spring and November 2020 on the same periods in 2016-19, Eurostat said Tuesday in a report on excess deaths due to COVID in Europe last year.
    The EU hit a first peak in April, up 25%, when Spain (79. 4% up), Belgium (73.9%) and Netherlands (53.5%) were the most affected countries, the EU stats agency said.
    Italy reached its highest levels in March (up 49.4%), April (41%) and November (49.5%).
    There were over 450,000 excess deaths in the EU between March and November. (ANSA).