A total of 9,192 deaths were registered during the first quarter of 2020. The figure indicated a slight decrease of 2.0 percent death occurrences from the 2019 figure of 9,378.

The province of Pangasinan ranked first in terms of the number of registered deaths during the first quarter 2020, with a total of 5,211 or 56.7 percent share of the total registered deaths in the region. La Union placed second with 1,612 registered deaths (17.5 percent share), followed by Ilocos Sur with 1,194 (13.0 percent share) and Ilocos Norte with 1,175 (12.8 percent share).

In the same quarter of 2019, Pangasinan recorded 5,523 deaths or 58.9 percent of the total registered deaths in the region. Distantly followed by La Union with 1,525 (16.3 percent share), Ilocos Sur with 1,228 (13.1 percent share) and Ilocos Norte with 1,102 (11.7 percent share).

Comparing the two periods, two provinces recorded an increase in the number of registered deaths from first quarter of 2019 to first quarter of 2020. Ilocos Norte posted the highest percent increase at 6.6 percent from 1,102 deaths in 2019 to 1,175 deaths in 2020. Followed by La Union with 5.7 percent from 1,525 deaths to 1,612 deaths. On the other hand, the province of Pangasinan reported the highest percent decrease at 5.6 percent from 5,523 deaths in first quarter of 2019 to 5,211 deaths in same period of 2019, followed by Ilocos Sur with a percent decrease of 2.8 percent.

The cities of Dagupan, San Fernando, San Carlos, Batac and Urdaneta posted the highest number of registered deaths in first quarter of 2020 with 1,005, 723, 575, 423 and 277 deaths, respectively. On the other hand, the municipalities of Carasi, Adams, Sigay, San Ildefonso, Nagbukel, Sugpon and Lidlidda had the least number in terms of the number of registered deaths: Carasi with two registered deaths; Adams and Sigay with three deaths each, San Ildefonso and Nagbukel with four deaths each and Sugpon and Lidlidda with five death occurrences each.

During the first quarter of 2020, mortality was at its peak in the month of January with total registered deaths of 3,796. This figure was more than one-third of the regional quarterly total of 9,192 death occurrences. The number of deaths in the month of January 2020 translates to an average of 122 death occurrences per day. The figure was higher than the daily average death occurrences in the region which is 102. March posted the lowest number of registered deaths with 2,580 in first quarter of 2020.

In the same period of 2019, the highest number of registered deaths was also in the month of January with 3,752 death occurrences, followed by the month of March with 2,885. The smallest number of registered deaths was in February with 2,741. January 2019 has the highest daily average of 121 death occurrences followed by February with a daily average of 98 death occurrences.

There were more death occurrences among males (5,186) than females (4,006) in Ilocos Region during the first quarter of 2020. The computed sex ratio during the quarter was 129 male deaths for every 100 female deaths.

Ilocos Norte posted the highest sex ratio with 134, Pangasinan ranked second with 130 and followed by La Union with 128. The lowest computed sex ratio of 124 male deaths per 100 female deaths was noted in Ilocos Sur.

Out of the 9,192 registered deaths in first quarter of 2020, more than half (51.4 percent or 4,721 registered deaths) were attended by medical authorities. The remaining 48.6 percent or 4,471 registered deaths did not get medical attendance.

La Union recorded the highest percentage of deaths attended by medical authorities with 68.4 percent of the total registered deaths in the province followed by Ilocos Norte with 56.1 percent, Pangasinan with 48.1 percent and Ilocos Sur with 38.0 percent.

SGD. ATTY. SHEILA O. DE GUZMAN
Officer-in-Charge, RSSO I