Coronavirus NI: 1,001 excess deaths in NI in last 14 weeks - COVID-19 death-toll up to 839

The latest set of stats published by NISRA reveal that 10 deaths involving COVID-19 occurred in the last week, from June 27 to July 3, bringing the total of COVID-19 related deaths to 839.

Of this total, 437 (52.1%) took place in hospital, 345 (41.1%) in care homes, eight (1.0%) in hospices and 49 (5.8%) at residential addresses or other locations.

The 353 deaths which occurred in care homes and hospices involved 80 separate establishments.

The comparative number of deaths reported daily by the Department of Health (DoH) to July 3 was 554.

These figures are based on patients having previously tested positive for the virus, whereas the NISRA figures are based on the information entered on death certificates, completed by medical professionals. They may or may not have previously tested positive for the virus.

Further analysis, which includes deaths of care home residents in hospital, shows that of the 423 deaths of care home residents involving COVID-19 in the year to date to July 3, 2020, 81.6% (345) occurred in a care home, with the remaining 78 occurring in hospital. On this basis, deaths of care home residents account for 50.4% of all COVID-19 related deaths; however, no assumptions can be made in relation to where or when the deceased contracted the disease.

Separate analyses based on the date of death registration, shows that the provisional number of total deaths from all causes registered in Northern Ireland in the week ending July 3, 2020 (week 26) was 289, six less than in week 25 and one more than the five-year average of 288.

Over the last 14 weeks in total, 1,001 ‘excess deaths’ (deaths above the average for the corresponding period in previous years) have been registered in Northern Ireland, with the number of ‘excess deaths’ in the year to date to July 3 totalling 742.

COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate for 11 (3.8%) of the 289 deaths registered in week 26. This is one fewer than last week (week 25) and brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths registered in the calendar year 2020 to 835.

Persons aged 75 and over accounted for two-thirds (65.9%) of all deaths and 80.0% of COVID‑19 related deaths registered this calendar year up to July 3.

For COVID-19 related deaths, those with an address in Belfast Local Government District (LGD) accounted for 242 (29.0%) of the 835 deaths registered in the calendar year to July 3.

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