North Northamptonshire records hundreds of excess deaths

Deaths have increased significantly in north Northamptonshire during 2020 compared to the previous five-year averages, suggesting there have been hundreds of excess deaths, a special investigation has shown.

The Northants Telegraph has analysed the number of deaths registered in Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and East Northants so far in the 42 weeks of this year compared to the five-year average up to the same date.

Five-year averages are used by public health officials to give an indication of the number of deaths normally expected at any given point in a year. In the previous five years, north Northamptonshire has recorded on average 2,500 deaths by the 42nd week of the year.

This year, there have been 2,906 deaths registered in Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, and East Northants in 42 weeks, an increase of 406 deaths.

This is the equivalent to 117 excess deaths per 100,000 people in north Northamptonshire, above the England and Wales average of 102 deaths per 100,000 people reported by researchers at Imperial College London a few weeks ago.Kettering is the worst affected area. There have been 878 deaths registered in the borough so far this year, compared to an average of 729 by this time over the last five years. That's 149 excess deaths, an increase of 20 per cent.

Wellingborough follows closely with an 18 per cent increase in the number of deaths the borough would usually record.

The area has a five-year average of 593 deaths in the first 42 weeks of the year. This year, it has recorded 701 deaths so far, an excess of 108.

East Northamptonshire has recorded 104 excess deaths, with 814 deaths registered in total so far this year compared to a five year average of 710. That's an increase of 15 per cent.

Corby has seen the lowest rate of excess deaths, at just under 10 per cent. The borough normally records 468 deaths in 42 weeks according to the five-year average, but this year there have been 45 more deaths than expected, with 513 deaths registered so far this year.

Across the north of the county, there is an overall increase in registered deaths of 16 per cent.

Not all excess deaths are necessarily linked to coronavirus, as the pandemic and subsequent lockdown may have exacerbated the number of deaths linked to other causes.

For example, The British Medical Journal (BMJ) reported that A&E attendance fell 25 per cent in the week after lockdown was announced.

The BMJ noted that there was probably less need for A&E at the time because staying at home meant people were less likely to get into accidents and need emergency care, but many conditions unaffected by lockdown, such as heart attacks, strokes, and asthma attacks, were being seen in smaller numbers.

At the time, medical professionals were urging people to seek emergency care if necessary.

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