COVID-19 death rates lower in Northern Ireland than the rest of the UK

By Peter Moor

New analysis of COVID-19 death rates show that Northern Ireland has seen a lot less fatalities linked to the virus, compared to other parts of the UK.

Here, there have been 42 deaths per 100,000 people. That compares to over 74 fatalities per 100,000 in Scotland and 82 in England and Wales, according to a new study by the Ulster University Business School.

Meanwhile, in the Republic of Ireland there were just 35 deaths per 100,000 people.

Researchers believe this difference may be due to a lower population density here.

Speaking about the data, Dr Esmond Birnie said, "Some of that difference between NI and RoI and GB may be explained by the much higher population density in England: three times higher than that NI and six times higher than that in RoI.

The statistics also look more broadly at global comparisons. 

It shows that whilst Northern Ireland death rates may have been lower than other parts of the UK, the figures are still higher than those in countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Austria, Finland, Norway and Denmark.

However, Dr Birnie did warn of not relying upon the data of death rates.

"There are uncertainties as to how far the data include all deaths related to COVID, it is unclear to what extent like is really being compared to like, and there are lags in terms of how up-to-date the results are," he said.

Figures announced on Friday by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency reveal 816 COVID-19 related deaths up to the 19th June.

That figure is based upon information entered on death certificates.

However, the number of deaths is lower according to the daily COVID-19 death figures released by the Department of Health.

These figures from the daily dashboard suggest 545 Coronavirus related fatalities up to 19th June - although this figure is mainly based upon deaths that occured within Northern Ireland's hospitals.

These figures also only record deaths of those who died and also tested positive for the virus.