Coronavirus linked to almost 20% of all deaths in Sunderland in 2020

Almost one in every five deaths in Sunderland in 2020 have been linked to coronavirus.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

According to the latest government figures, COVID-19 was referenced on 298 out of 1,568 death certificates issued in the city since the start of 2020.

And the numbers issued by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also showed that at the peak of the outbreak, the virus accounted for more than half of all fatalities in Wearside in its most deadly week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Similar figures were also seen in Gateshead and South Tyneside, which, along with Sunderland, data from NHS chiefs confirmed, are all in the top three areas of the North East for coronavirus infections per 100,000 people.

Lab technicians handle suspected COVID-19 samples as they carry out a diagnostic test for coronavirus. Picture by Ben Birchall/PA WireLab technicians handle suspected COVID-19 samples as they carry out a diagnostic test for coronavirus. Picture by Ben Birchall/PA Wire
Lab technicians handle suspected COVID-19 samples as they carry out a diagnostic test for coronavirus. Picture by Ben Birchall/PA Wire

However, health bosses were also keen to stress that a large number of confirmed cases was more likely to reflect the number of tests carried out, rather than the ‘underlying prevalence of disease in the community’.

The ONS figures, which run up to May 15, show the number of deaths in which COVID-19 was thought to be a factor has fallen for the fifth week in a row, as has the overall number of deaths in the city.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The number of coronavirus-linked fatalities in care homes however has remained flat for the last three weeks, at 14, even as the total number of deaths in Wearside’s care homes has fallen.

“These numbers confirm a steady downward trend in both deaths from all causes and from COVID that has been evident since the middle of April,” said Prof David Leon, Professor of Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

“This downward trend is seen in all settings.

“In care homes and hospitals, total deaths [nationwide] in this most recent week ending 15 May have more than halved compared to their respective peaks.”

Prof Leon also said the latest data suggested so-called ‘collateral deaths’ of people who had delayed treatment or diagnosis of some health conditions due to the coronavirus outbreak may also be falling.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But he added it may take years to see the impact on other chronic conditions, such as cancer.

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.