Wellingborough: The Covid-19 deaths in your neighbourhood

There have been 17 deaths involving Covid-19 in Wellingborough between March 1 and April 17, according to data released today (Friday) by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

It is the most detailed picture of how Covid-19 has been affecting your neighbourhood so far. During the peak of the coronavirus outbreak in early April, only the number of deaths in hospitals was being released and many people were asking how badly their areas were affected.

Today's breakdown shows where the deceased came from, their sex and the rate of deaths involving Covid-19 per 100,000 people.

Wellingborough had 109 deaths in total during this time, so the 17 deaths account for under a fifth of all deaths.

Almost twice as many men than women from Wellingborough have died with the virus. There have been 11 male deaths involving coronavirus, compared to six for women.

The worst affected area is the Queensway, where three deaths involving Covid-19 have been recorded between March 1 and April 17. These three deaths account for 27 per cent of deaths in the area.

Labour councillor Andrew Scarborough, one of the representatives for Queensway, said: "Every death is a tragedy for the family concerned.

"Queensway is an area where the population has been getting steadily older. The estate was built in the 70s and people have lived there since it was built and there is a number of care homes."

Cllr Scarborough said while any death is a tragedy, the small number of deaths makes it hard to draw any sorts of conclusions. He also pointed out that other causes of death are still "vastly outnumbering Covid."

He added: "It is a sobering thought to think anyone is passing away."

Irchester, Wollaston and Bozeat also had three deaths, but this accounted for 16 per cent of all deaths over the same time period.

Two people from Earls Barton and Great Doddington have died with Covid-19. There were also two deaths in Victoria and Isebrook.

Redwell, Rixon, Croyland, and Brickhill all recorded one death each, as did the area of Finedon, Isham and Harrowden.

Across the whole of Wellingborough, the rate of deaths involving coronavirus is still much lower than the national average. There were 23 deaths involving coronavirus per 100,000 people in Wellingborough, but across England and Wales, it is 36.2 deaths per 100,000 people.

Northampton and East Northamptonshire were both above the national average, at 39.7 and 39.6 respectively.

Leader of Wellingborough Council, Conservative councillor Martin Griffiths, said: "Any death is extremely tragic and I don't think we should take any comfort from the fact our figures are below any average.

"Every single one is a tragic story."

Cllr Griffiths pointed to the work the council is doing to support the vulnerable at this time through the community hubs at Glamis Hall and the Victoria Centre and other means.

Cllr Scarborough said: "I think Wellingborough is fortunate not to have been as badly affected as other parts of the country.

"Although it could be worse, it underlines the need to stick to social distancing rules."

The Queensway councillor pointed to an incident earlier this week when police were called twice to disperse a group of 25 people having a BBQ on Shelley Road in the Queensway estate.Cllr Scarborough said: "I think these deaths are terribly sad and they remind us the best way we can keep ourselves and other people safe is to follow the rules and only go out when we need to and do not gather in large groups."