Get the latest on coronavirus. Sign up to the Daily Brief for news, explainers, how-tos, opinion and more.
The
Coronavirus mortality rate is more than twice as high in the most deprived areas of
England compared to the wealthiest parts, new data from the Office for National Statistics has revealed.
According to the figures, there was an average of 128.3 deaths involving Covid-19 per 100,000 people in the poorest parts of the country between March 1 and May 31.
In the least deprived areas, there was an average of 58.8 deaths per 100,000 people.
In total, there were 46,687 deaths in England and Wales between March 1 and May 31 involving coronavirus, meaning Covid-19 was involved in a quarter of all deaths during this period. The mortality rate of deaths involving #COVID19 in the most deprived areas of England was more than double that in the least deprived areas:▪️ most deprived: 128.3 deaths per 100,000 population▪️ least deprived: 58.8 deaths per 100,000 populationhttps://t.co/o4C8FTpyBApic.twitter.com/WXpS73JMpG— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) June 12, 2020The ONS data showed that the area with the highest overall Covid-19 mortality rate in England and Wales was the
London borough of Brent, with a rate of 210.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
Brent was followed by four more London boroughs – Newham (196.8), Hackney (182.9), Harrow (178.0) and Haringey (177.9).
Outside London, the local authority area with the highest mortality rate across this period was Middlesbrough (169.2 deaths per 100,000), followed by Hertsmere (161.6), Salford (159.9), Watford (153.8) and
Liverpool (144.5).
Sarah Caul, head of mortality analysis at the ONS, said that while general mortality rates tend to be higher in deprived areas, “Covid-19 appears to be increasing this fact”.
She added: “Although London had some of the highest Covid-19 mortality rates in the country during March and April, it is now experiencing lower mortality rates compared with most areas.
“During May, the region with the highest age-adjusted Covid-19 mortality rate was the north-east, where the rate was double that of London. The south-west region continued to have the lowest mortality rate overall and during each of the last three months.”
There were an estimated 33.1 deaths involving Covid-19 per 100,000 population in north-east England across May, compared with 15.7 per 100,000 in London.Related...
Uber To Introduce Mandatory Face Coverings For Drivers And Passengers Here's Who People Are Choosing To Be In Their 'Support Bubbles' – And Why