Four covid-19 related deaths in Northern Ireland in last week according to NISRA

by Q Radio News

Latest figures published by Northern Ireland's Statistics and Research Agency show four deaths involving covid-19 occurred here in the last week from 1st to 7th August. 

It represents a rise of three, from the one single fatality reported the week before. 

The death toll according to NISRA stands at 859. 

Of this total, 452 (52.6%) took place in hospital, 349 (40.6%) in care homes, eight (0.9%) in hospices and 50 (5.8%) at residential addresses or other locations.

Of the 859 total deaths involving Covid-19 occurring up to 7 August, 452 (52.6%) occurred in hospital, 349 (40.6%) occurred in care homes, eight (0.9%) occurred in hospices and 50 (5.8%) occurred at residential addresses or another location.@NISRA pic.twitter.com/6XVh5qfTS5

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) August 14, 2020

The 357 deaths which occurred in care homes and hospices involved 81 separate establishments.

The comparative number of deaths reported daily by the Department of Health to 7th August was 556.

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.

Meanwhile, further analysis, which includes deaths of care home residents in hospital, shows that of the 429 deaths of care home residents involving COVID-19 in the year to date to 7th August 2020, 81.4% (349) occurred in a care home, with the remaining 80 occurring in hospital.

On this basis, deaths of care home residents account for 49.9% of all COVID-19 related deaths; however, no assumptions can be made in relation to where or when the deceased contracted the disease. 

COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate of five (1.8%) of the 280 deaths registered in week 31.  

This is four more than last week (week 30) and brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths registered in the calendar year 2020 to 859.

Persons aged 75 and over accounted for two-thirds (65.1%) of all deaths and 80% of COVID‑19 related deaths registered this calendar year up to 7th August.

For COVID-19 related deaths, those with an address in Belfast Local Government District (LGD) accounted for 247 (28.8%) of the 859 deaths registered in the calendar year to 7th August.