Coronavirus No Longer Main Cause of Death in England and Wales

New Figures show that for the first time since October coronavirus was not the leading cause of death in England and Wales last month.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that Covid-19 was actually the third main cause of death. It accounted for 9.2% of all fatalities registered in England and 6.3% in Wales.

Each month from November to February the virus was the top cause of death.

However things changed in March when the leading cause in England became dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This accounted for 10.1% of all deaths registered that month. The leading cause of death in Wales was ischaemic heart disease, accounting for 11.8% of all fatalities.

The total number of deaths from coronavirus in the UK is now at 127,327.

More deaths than average

In March, 45,567 deaths were registered in England which is 956 fewer than in the same month last year. But this is still 656 more than the five year average from 2015 to 2019. Of these deaths, 4,198 were due to Covid, showing a month on month decrease of 75% from 16,682 in February.

Figures for Wales show 2,984 registered deaths in March, 150 fewer than last year, and 87 fewer than the five year average for that month. Of these, 189 were due to Covid, a month on month fall of 73% from 711 in February.

Between 1 January and 31 March, 154,020 deaths were registered as happening in England. This is 14,061 (10%) more than the five year average for 2015 to 2019. Of these 43,715 (28.4%) were attributed to Covid.

Between January and March, 9,666 deaths occurred in Wales, 246 (2.6%) more than the five year average. Of these, 2,243 (23.2%) were caused by Covid.

The five year average was taken between 2015 and 2019 rather than 2016 to 2020 to provide a comparison with a period without pandemic.

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