According to the latest estimates of the World Health Organization on the 5th, nearly 15million people were directly or indirectly killed by the COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, most of which occurred in Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas. According to WHO estimates, from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021, the total number of deaths directly or indirectly related to the COVID-19 (i.e. "excess deaths") is about 14.91 million, with an actual range of 13.3 million to 16.6 million. "Excess deaths" refers to the difference between the actual number of deaths worldwide and the normal number of deaths estimated based on the year in which the pandemic did not occur, including deaths directly caused by the epidemic and indirectly related deaths caused by the impact of the pandemic on the health system and society, and the relative reduction of deaths caused by traffic accidents and industrial injuries. Who said that 84% of the world's "excess deaths" occurred in Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas, and about 68% of the "excess deaths" were concentrated in 10 countries. Of the 14.91 million deaths, middle-income countries accounted for 81%, while high-income and low-income countries accounted for 15% and 4% respectively. In terms of gender and age, the global death toll of men is higher than that of women, of which 57% are men, 43% are women, and the death toll of the elderly is higher. "These thought-provoking data not only show the impact of the pandemic, but also the need for all countries to invest in more resilient health systems to maintain basic health services, including stronger health information systems, during crises," said who director general Tan Desai Samira ASMA, who assistant director general for data, analysis and delivery, said measuring "excess deaths" was an important part of understanding the impact of the pandemic. Due to the limited investment in data systems in many countries, the true degree of "excess death" is often hidden. The current new estimates use the best available data and are generated using sound methods and complete transparency. (Xinhua News Agency)