Weekly Covid-19 deaths drop to lowest number since March, new figures show

Deaths and hospitalisations are currently very low. (Photo: Shutterstock)Deaths and hospitalisations are currently very low. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Deaths and hospitalisations are currently very low. (Photo: Shutterstock)

New statistics suggest that weekly coronavirus deaths have dropped to the lowest figure in England and Wales since mid-March.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released data showing a total number of 101 coronavirus-related deaths registered in the week ending August 28.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coronavirus-related deaths refers to a mention of Covid-19 on the death certificate.

In the previous week, 138 deaths were recorded.

101 deaths marks the lowest number of coronavirus-related deaths since the week ending March 13, prior to the national lockdown, when just five Covid-19 deaths were registered.

Cumulatively, just over 57,400 deaths involving coronavirus have been registered in the UK, according to ONS figures.

Figures published on Tuesday show that, up to August 28, 52,316 deaths involving Covid-19 had occurred in England and Wales and had been registered by September 5.

In Northern Ireland, 873 deaths had occurred up to August 28, according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

4,228 deaths have been cumulatively recorded in Scotland up to August 30.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

931 excess deaths in private homes in England and Wales registered in England and Wales in the week ending on August 28, but the ONS noted that these deaths did not involve Covid-19.

As means of comparison, just nine deaths in private homes that involved coronavirus were registered in the week up to August 28.

931 excess deaths is the highest number of non-coronavirus excess deaths in this setting since the week that ended May 22.

Excess deaths are the number of deaths above the average for the corresponding period in the previous five years.

The ONS has commented that it would like to publish further investigation into how the coronavirus outbreak may have impacted deaths in private homes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Some experts have expressed concern that coronavirus may have caused delays to vital treatments such as chemotherapy, as well as delays to those seeking initial diagnosis - possibly resulting in deaths that would otherwise be preventable.