Official figures show fall in coronavirus deaths in the Anglia region for third week

  • Anglia

Official figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show the number of people dying in the Anglia region with Covid-19 had reached 4,344 up to 8th May.

For the third consecutive week, the number of coronavirus deaths across the area has declined. In the week ending 8th May, a total of 384 people died in the Anglia region compared with 622 in the previous week.

The ONS figures are the most accurate snapshot of the progress of the coronavirus pandemic as they include death registrations in all settings not just hospitals. The information relies on checking official death certificates so there is a 10-day time lag before the data is published.

When more recent information from the Care Quality Commission and the NHS is included, the total number of people in the Anglia region dying with a positive test for coronavirus or suspected of having the illness is 4,750.

Nearly 900 care homes residents have died with coronavirus in the Anglia region up to 8th May. Credit: Hannah McKay/PA Wire/PA Images

There has also been a decline in the number of people dying in care homes in the Anglia region.

In the week ending 8th May, 111 care home residents passed away with a Covid-19 diagnosis. That compares with 184 care home deaths in the previous week.

The Care Quality Commission also collects information about people dying in care homes. The CQC was notified about 152 deaths in care homes in between 9th and 15th May.

Total number of people dying with Covid-19 in the Anglia region during the pandemic

Figures from the Office of National Statistics to 8th May 2020

  • 4,344 - total deaths in the Anglia region

  • 3,235 - died in hospitals (75% of the total)

  • 894 - died in care homes (21%)

  • 146 - died in their own home (3%)

  • 51 - died in a hospice (1%)

  • 18 - died elsewhere (

The map shows the number of people with coronavirus who have died in each county in the Anglia region. Credit: Data from the Office of National Statistics, NHS England and the Care Quality Commission

There is a significant variation in the death rate in different parts of the Anglia region.

Central Bedfordshire has seen 177 people dying with coronavirus since the start of the outbreak with 174 in Milton Keynes and 163 in Luton.

In Norfolk, there is a stark contrast between the city of Norwich where 12 have died during the pandemic with 115 deaths in the King's Lynn and West Norfolk area.

Hertfordshire has the highest death rate in the rate in the region when the number of people living in the county is taken into account. There have been 75 deaths per 100,000 in the population.

Essex has a death rate of 71 per 100,000.

The number of people dying with coronavirus peaked at 959 in the week ending 17th April 2020. Credit: Data from the Office of National Statistics

The Office of National Statistics has cautioned that the figures published on Tuesday 19th May covering the week ending 8th May may be affected by the VE Day Bank Holiday on Friday 8th May when Registry Offices were closed.

For the purposes of this article, the Anglia region is defined as the traditional counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Suffolk along with the unitary authority area of Milton Keynes.

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