Researchers say the number of deaths in Japan since late March statistically suggests that there has been no large increase in the number of deaths from COVID-19.

Health researchers, including from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, analyzed mortality data over an eight-week period starting on March 20. The data was provided by 17 municipalities across Japan.

They compared the actual number of deaths for every week with the statistically estimated number of deaths based on data from the past five years. The method determines whether there are any increases in actual deaths, or excess deaths.

The researchers conducted the analysis to measure the impact of the coronavirus on mortality. Daily figures of deaths from COVID-19 are no longer reported publicly since the government downgraded the disease.

The researchers say they did not find any significant excess deaths during the eight-week period ending mid-May. They say the number of deaths from the coronavirus is believed not to have increased significantly.

Last year, excess deaths reportedly increased significantly when the virus was widespread.

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases says it will continue to release excess death information twice a month. It says more timely analysis is now possible because some municipalities are quickly providing data to the institute.

Previously it took about three months to calculate the numbers because researchers had to wait for conventional population data belatedly reported from municipalities.

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