Some 350 more people died each week in April that would have been expected for the time of year, national statistics agency CBS said on Friday.

The cause of the excess death rate – totalling 1,850 over the month – has not yet been established but the flu epidemic which started in mid March is likely to be a major cause. By the first week of May, the peak was virtually over, the CBS said.

The higher number of deaths was particularly obvious among the over-65s and people who live in residential care. Some 1,150 more nursing home patients and older people died than would have been expected, based on previous years.

The impact of coronavirus on the figures is still unclear and the CBS is now trying to establish the cause of the excess deaths.

The CBS now estimates that 40,679 people died from coronavirus in the Netherlands up to January 2022.

Fewer people than would have been expected died in January and February, when coronavirus measures were still in place.