Hundreds of excess deaths in Wirral show the "grim human toll of the pandemic", new research has revealed.
Data from the Office for National Statistics shows the borough recorded 836 more deaths between March 2020 and June 2022 than the expected five-year average. This equates to 9.6% more deaths than anticipated over this time period, meaning the area has an excess death rate below the 11.1% average across England and Wales.
Across England and Wales, 137,447 more deaths were registered over the 28-month period than expected compared with previous years. 64% of the registered deaths were men.
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The King's Fund, an independent think tank, said the stark new data shows the "grim human toll of the pandemic". The think tank also noted how the wide geographical variations – caused by local infection rates, deprivation, and demographics among others – demonstrate the unequal impact of Covid-19.
The King's Fund has warned that excess deaths could rise across England and Wales this winter and has called on the Government to act. Dr Veena Raleigh, senior fellow at the think tank, warned that as winter approaches, the virus is still present and its future course is "unpredictable".
She said: "NHS services were already stretched prior to the pandemic and are now facing unprecedented pressures with a backlog of almost seven million people waiting for planned care, plus long delays in emergency services that could cause harm or be life-threatening.
"If the Government wants to forestall the risk of excess deaths climbing again, ministers must take steps now to ensure good uptake of the Covid-19 and flu vaccines, and that the NHS has the workforce and resources to cope with winter pressures.”
The ONS figures also include a small number of people who died whose usual residence is outside England and Wales.
The London borough of Newham had the highest rate of excess deaths (29% above normal), while Three Rivers, in the East of England, saw deaths 2.5% below normal.
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