Three COVID-19 deaths occurred in the last week - latest NISRA statistics reveal

By Q Radio News

Latest figures published by NISRA show that three deaths involving COVID-19 have occurred in the last week.

According to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, 871 people have now died in connection with the virus here, since the start of the pandemic.

Of this total, 460  took place in hospital, 351 in care homes, eight  in hospices and 52 at residential addresses or other locations.

The 359 deaths which occurred in care homes and hospices involved 81 separate establishments.

However a difference in how data is recorded means the Department of Health claims there have been fewer deaths up until August 21st.

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.

The statistics come as five new COVID-19 clusters were recorded here, in the seven days up until Wednesday.

Further analysis, which includes deaths of care home residents in hospital, shows that of the 431 deaths of care home residents involving COVID-19 in the year to date to 21st August 2020, 81.4% occurred in a care home, with the remaining 80 occurring in hospital.

On this basis, deaths of care home residents account for 49.5% of all COVID-19 related deaths.

However the agency said 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 21st August 2020 (week 33) was 313, 35 more than in week 32 and 50 more than the 5-year average of 263.

Over the last 21 weeks in total, 1,098 ‘excess deaths’ have been registered here, with the number of ‘excess deaths’ in the year to date to 21st August totalling 839.

COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate of six of the 313 deaths registered in week 33.  

This is two more than last week (week 32) and brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths registered in the calendar year up to 21st August to 869.

Persons aged 75 and over accounted for two-thirds of all deaths and 79.6% of COVID‑19 related deaths registered this calendar year up to 21st August.

For COVID-19 related deaths, those with an address in Belfast Local Government District (LGD) accounted for 248 of the 869 deaths registered in the calendar year to 21st August.