Four Covid-19 related deaths according to NISRA: week ending 21st May

By Q Radio News

Latest figures published today by NISRA show that four deaths involving Covid-19 occurred in the week 15th May to 21st May 2021. The total number of Covid-19 related deaths that occurred up to 21st May 2021 has now reached 2,972. Of the 2,972 Covid-19 related deaths, 1,968 (66.2%) took place in hospital, 774 (26.0%) in care homes, 14 (0.5%) in hospices and 216 (7.3%) at residential addresses or other locations.

The comparative number of deaths reported daily by the Department of Health to 21st May 2021 was 2,152. 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 and therefore include both confirmed and suspected cases, and where Covid-19 was either a contributor to or the main cause of death.

Further analysis, which includes deaths of care home residents in hospital, shows that of the 1,011 deaths of care home residents involving Covid-19 which occurred between 18th March 2020 and 21st May 2021, 76.6% (774) occurred in a care home, with the remaining 237 occurring in hospital. On this basis, deaths of care home residents account for 34.1% of all Covid-19 related deaths; however, no assumptions can be made in relation to where or when the deceased contracted the disease.

The weekly bulletin containing data on deaths registered during the week ending 21 May and information on Covid-19 related deaths was published this morning. https://t.co/ItjIz5t1Aj pic.twitter.com/luM9LUY0gx

— NISRA (@NISRA) May 28, 2021

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 May 2021 (week 20, 2021) was 319, seven less than in week 19 and 24 more than the 5-year average (2016-2020) of 295.

Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate of four (1.3%) of the 319 deaths registered in week 20, a decrease of three deaths from the previous week. The total number of Covid-19 related deaths registered to 21st May 2021 has now reached 2,971.

Persons aged 75 and over accounted for 76.1% of the 2,971 Covid‑19 related deaths registered between 19th March 2020 and 21st May 2021.

Over the period of the pandemic, Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon and Mid-Ulster Local Government Districts have had higher proportions of Covid-19 related deaths (12.0% and 8.3% respectively) compared with their share of all deaths in Northern Ireland (10.4% and 6.5% respectively). Conversely, Ards & North Down and Fermanagh & Omagh both have relatively low shares