The number of deaths in York care homes caused by Covid-19 reached 31 at the beginning of May, new figures reveal.
And 15 of these were in the last recorded week (ending 1 May) – overtaking deaths in hospital for the first time.
The figures were revealed as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its latest update on registered deaths in England and Wales today (Tuesday).
In 2020 there were a total of 897 deaths in York up to 1 May, which were registered by 9 May.
Of these, 94 were due to Covid-19 – just over 10% of the total.
And 31 coronavirus deaths were in York care homes – a third of the coronavirus fatalities.
However the sharp rise in care home deaths in the last week will give cause for concern.
Altogether 20 of York’s 36 care homes have reported coronavirus cases so far.
Registered deaths in York 2020
| Place of death | Home | Hospital | Care Home | Hospice | Other communal | Elsewhere |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All deaths | 184 | 355 | 273 | 48 | 1 | 7 |
| Covid-19 deaths | 8 | 54 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total deaths | 867 | |||||
| Covid-19 deaths | 94 | |||||
Nationally the ONS figures show that there were 35,044 deaths involving Covid-19 in England and Wales up to May 1.
This compares with 26,251 deaths of people testing positive for Covid-19 reported by the Department of Health and Social Care for the same period.
The ONS total is 33% higher than the Department of Health total.
This is because the ONS figures include all mentions of Covid-19 on a death certificate, including suspected Covid-19, and are based on the date that deaths occurred.
And care home deaths accounted for 40% of coronavirus-related fatalities across England and Wales.