Rushden: The Covid-19 deaths in your neighbourhood

East Northamptonshire is one of the worst hit areas in the county for Covid-19 related deaths according to new figures released today (May 1).

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) data shows that between March 1 and April 17 there were 38 coronavirus in East Northamptonshire. This compares to 14 Covid-19 deaths in the neighbouring Corby borough, 21 in Kettering and 17 in Wellingborough.

It also tallies with information from Public Health England which showed that East Northamptonshire and Northampton care homes had been the worst affected in the county by the pandemic. Ten of the 38 homes in East Northamptonshire have recorded an outbreak of the deadly virus.

Between March 1 and April 17 there were 168 deaths in total in East Northamptonshire, meaning that just over a fifth were due to Covid-19.

The worst hit parts of the local authority area are Rushden, the Stanwick and Woodford district and the Oundle and Warmington area.

The Bulwick and the Kings Cliffe area outwards the Peterborough border are the least affected.

According to the ONS data the Stanwick and Ringstead area has recorded just under a quarter of the 38 deaths, with nine people dying of Covid 19 between the start of March and April 17.

Four people from Brockfield House in Stanwick are known to have died in April.

The Rushden area is another hotspot in East Northants with 11 deaths recorded. Four deaths happened in Rushden West and North ward, four in Rushden East and one was in Rushden South.

Ward councillor Richard Lewis, 78, says the fact Rushden had been more affected by the contagion was very sad but not unexpected.

He said: “We have a large number of care homes in the area and so in some respects it doesn’t surprise me, although it is of course very sad. I myself am 78 and so myself and my wife are locked in and suddenly you can’t get involved in the things you used to.

“I do think the Government has been slow with the PPE, but there is no easy solution to this – although many are trying to find one.”

The Oundle and Warmington area is the third worst affected in the borough with eight Covid deaths. The Thrapston, Brigstock and paper Benefield district has recorded three Covid 19 deaths; there have been two deaths from the virus in Raunds; four in Irthlingborough and one in Higham Ferrers.

In total for Northamptonshire the ONS latest data says there have been 205 deaths in the county up until April 17. However there are some concerns over the accuracy of Covid-19 figures as a lack of testing has led to suspicions that some people who have died from the virus have not had it stated on their death certificate.

The worst hit area was Northampton with 70 deaths.