This is why Sunderland has seen a higher number of coronavirus deaths and cases than some other parts of the North East, experts say

The city has experienced a higher level of cases and deaths compared to other parts of the North East.

Figures released on Wednesday, April 8, showed South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has recorded 89 deaths due to coronavirus in total, the highest in the North East.

There are 342 confirmed cases of the illness in Sunderland, and 118 in South Tyneside according to the latest Public Health England data.

In Northumberland there has been 52 deaths at the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, with 272 cases confirmed, in Gateshead there have been 28 deaths and 230 cases. Newcastle Hospitals Trust has recorded 34 deaths of people who tested positive for coronavirus, while 432 cases have been confirmed in the city.

County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust has recorded 48 deaths related to the illness, Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has recorded 16 deaths and South Tees NHS Foundation Trust has recorded 69 deaths.

Experts have pointed to high levels of deprivation, an older population – 20% of Sunderland’s population are aged over 65 – and a large portion of the population of the city suffering from underlying health problems as reasons why the number of people dying with coronavirus is higher than in other nearby areas.

Research into the health Sunderland residents last year found that a “significant number” of deaths in the area were already due to preventable causes, such as smoking, an unhealthy diet, alcohol intake and not being physically active.

Sunderland City Council’s director of public health Gillian Gibson has said there are many people living in the city with pre-existing health problems, and that many of these people are at greater risk if they contract coronavirus because of these health issues.

Ms Gibson said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those who have been hit by COVID-19, whether as patients with symptoms or as friends and family who have lost loved ones.

“Sunderland has an ageing population and many people with pre-existing medical conditions.

“This does put more people in Sunderland at greater risk if they contract COVID-19.”

She urged people in Sunderland to follow the government guidelines to help stem the spread of the illness.

Ms Gibson said: “You can protect yourself, your family and the NHS by following the advice about only going outside for food shopping, health reasons or work if you cannot work from home.

“Please practise social distancing if you are out and wash your hands as soon as you get home.

“We also know that smokers are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and Sunderland has higher rates of smoking than many other parts of the country.

“There has never been a more important time to stop smoking and protect your own health and that of those around you.”

Her call for people to follow the rules is backed by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s Medical Director Dr Shaz Wahid.

He said: “Our sincere condolences go out to every family that has been affected by COVID-19 at such a distressing time.

“As you can appreciate, this is also a very difficult time for our staff, who are working tirelessly and with the utmost compassion to provide the very best care for our patients.

“Every loss to COVID-19 is very much felt by us all.

“Many of the people we care for every day across South Tyneside and Sunderland have complex underlying health issues and it is vitally important that the public adhere to Government guidance on social distancing and isolation to help protect the NHS and help us save more lives.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition:

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of.

Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.