Summary

Across all age groups, the increase in mortality recorded by the civil registry offices participating in the surveillance program (70% of national mortality) continued during week 7 (February 9–15) (Figure 1). Since early 2015, an initial estimate of winter mortality across all age groups shows that it is 17% higher than the expected mortality calculated based on the previous 8 years. These initial assessments should be interpreted with caution, as the episode is not yet over and the data are not yet consolidated due to the usual delays in reporting.The increase in mortality is observed among people aged 65 and older (Figure 3 – Table 1) and affects all regions.In Europe, an increase in all-cause mortality among people aged 65 and older has also been observed since the end of 2014 in 10 of the 16 countries or regions participating in the European mortality surveillance system (www.EuroMomo.eu).Electronically certified deaths remain stable at a high level, with 810 deaths recorded during Week 8 (February 16–22) (Figure 4).