Bassetlaw neighbourhoods worst hit by pandemic revealed
and live on Freeview channel 276
Data published by the Office for National Statistics comparing the number of deaths registered during the pandemic to a baseline from previous years shows some areas of the country were significantly more affected than others.
The Health Foundation said the virus has laid bare inequalities across England and Wales, with poor health, deprivation and stretched public services to blame for increased exposure.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIn the 14 months to the end of April, there were 1,687 deaths registered in Bassetlaw – 227 (15.5 per cent) more than the 1,460 predicted, according to the ONS figures.
Of the deaths, 214 had Covid-19 listed as the main cause – however, many Covid-related deaths at the start of the pandemic may have been undiagnosed, the ONS cautioned.
A further breakdown for Bassetlaw, released for the first time, also reveals which of the area's 14 neighbourhoods had the highest and lowest excess death rates during the pandemic.
The measurement compares the number of deaths registered during the period with how many were predicted based on previous mortality rates between 2014 and 2019.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIt has been described as the key metric for the impact of the pandemic by Professor Chris Whitty, the Government's chief medical officer.
In Bassetlaw, the neighbourhoods with the highest excess death rates were:
1) Worksop West, Shireoaks and Rhodesia – 97 deaths, 26 (36.6 per cent) more deaths than expected, and including 13 with Covid-19 listed as the main cause
2) Worksop Kilton – 214 deaths, 54 (33.8 per cent) more deaths than expected, including 33 due to Covid-19
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad3) Ranskill, Everton and Gringley – 103 deaths, 23 (28.8 per cent) more deaths than expected , including 10 due to Covid-19
The neighbourhoods with the lowest excess death rates were:
1) Carlton and Langold – 99 deaths, 11 (10 per cent) fewer than expected, and including 14 with Covid-19 listed as the main cause
2) Manton, Clumber and Elkesley – 85 deaths, one (1.2 per cent) more than expected, including 16 due to Covid-19
3) Clarborough, Beckingham and Misterton – 118 deaths, four (3.5 per cent) more than expected, including 13 due to Covid-19
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIn its Covid-19 Impact Inquiry report, the Health Foundation said people aged under 65 living in the most deprived areas were almost four times more likely to die from the virus, compared to those in the most affluent.
It found those in poor health, cramped housing conditions and some working environments faced an increased risk of exposure.
Assistant director David Finch said: "There is extensive evidence that poor health and existing inequalities left parts of the country vulnerable to the virus and defined the contours of its devastating impact.
"Deep-rooted issues such as poor health, increased financial insecurity and strained public services left some people more exposed."
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe group now wants the Government to address the harm caused by the pandemic and invest more in helping lift people out of poverty.