According to the latest figures, the number of deaths in nursing homes in England and Wales almost doubled in the four weeks between the registration of the first COVID-19 death and April 10th (15th week).
Data from National Bureau of Statistics (ONS) showed a sharp increase in deaths over the 15th week.
There were 18,516 deaths at 15 weeks, an increase from 16,387 at 14 weeks. This was 7,996 more than the five-year average reported by ONS.
The statisticians said it was the highest weekly total since the first week of 2000.
Of the deaths registered at 15th week, 6213 refer to COVID-19, which is 33.6% of all deaths. Compared to 21.2% of all deaths from the previous week,
Death from other causes
However, mortality from causes other than COVID-19 also increased. Experts say lockdowns can have an indirect impact on people’s health.
Martin Hivard, a professor of emerging infectious diseases at the London Hygiene and Tropical University, said: At least some of these may be indirectly involved, such as the inaccessibility of typical medical conditions for other conditions due to COVID-19 activity. “
ONS says between the 11th and the 15th week, the number of deaths in nursing homes increased by 99.4% from 2471 deaths to 4927 deaths.
Deaths in hospitals increased by 72.4% (4975 to 8578 out of 8578) and deaths in private housing increased by 51.1% (2725 to 4117).
Deaths in nursing homes accounted for 22.4% of all deaths in the 11th week and reached 26.6% of all deaths in the 15th week.
In week 15, 16.8% of all deaths in nursing homes were associated with COVID-19.
Numbers released last week National records of Scotland Has shown 25% of COVID-19 deaths registered so far in relation to deaths in nursing homes.
“The peak may have passed”
Experts suggest that the peak may end, despite the recent surge in reported deaths.
Dr. Karl Hennegan, professor of evidence-based medicine at Oxford University at a briefing today at the Science Media Center, said:Th April ”. “We haven’t seen any changes,” he said after tracking the data over the next 13 days.
But he warned: “Although we may see fewer deaths in the hospital, this percentage in nursing homes may have a significant delay in the future.”
The government is required to collate and publish more up-to-date numbers for deaths in nursing homes.
Sarah Deeny, Assistant Director of Data Analysis at the Health Foundation, commented: “Usually, the second place of death in England and Wales is the community. But today’s data show that for the first time since the launch of COVID, there were 19 outbreaks, with more deaths in nursing homes than in the community.”
She also added: “There is clearly an urgent need for better monitoring of deaths in nursing homes in a timely manner.”
Sally Copley of the Alzheimer’s Disease Association said: “Nursing home data needs to be published daily, just like the NHS, so you can see exactly what’s happening.”
