Fewer South Tyneside deaths despite pandemic

Public Health England data compares the number of deaths registered with how many were predicted based on previous mortality rates to calculate the number of excess deaths.

Based on estimates for 2015-19, South Tyneside was predicted to see 901 deaths from any causes in the first 26 weeks of the year – January 2 to July 2 – but there were 886, 15 fewer thanexpected.

Of all the deaths registered, 165 (19%) had Covid-19 on the death certificate.

Across England, there were 29,700 excess deaths during the first eight weeks of the year, as the effects of the second coronavirus wave were felt.

The week ending February 5 was the deadliest of the first half of 2021 in England, when there were 5,004 excess deaths.

In South Tyneside, the highest weekly excess death total came in the seven days to January 8, when the area recorded 26 excess deaths.

By contrast, there were 11 fewer in the week ending March 26 than had been predicted.

Sarah Scobie, deputy director of research at the Nuffield Trust, said England has seen fewer deaths from other illnesses such as flu this year because of social distancing and lockdowns.

She added: “The case numbers are beginning to fall again, but excess deaths for this time of year against the average have been creeping up.”