CMI notes over 50,000 excess deaths in second wave
There have been around 110,900 more deaths than expected in the UK from the start of the pandemic to 26 February 2021
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Continuous Mortality Investigation (CMI) has noted that the UK has experienced over 50,000 excess deaths during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It found that the number of deaths registered in England and Wales in week 8 of 2021 was 949 higher than if mortality rates had been the same as in week 8 of 2019; equivalent to 8% more deaths than expected.
The corresponding figures for recent weeks were 47% more deaths than expected in week 5, 27% more in week 6, and 13% more in week 7.
There have been around 110,900 more deaths than expected in the UK from the start of the pandemic to 26 February 2021. Of these, 50,200 have occurred in the second wave.
The number of deaths with COVID-19 mentioned on the death certificate was 2,914 in week 8 of 2021, compared to 4,079 in week 7 of 2021.
Cobus Daneel, chair of the CMI Mortality Projections Committee, said: “We have passed 50,000 excess deaths registered in the UK during the second wave. While we continue to see excess deaths, we are now well past the peak, and are approaching more typical levels of mortality.
“Excess deaths include all causes of death. There have been over 80,000 mentions of COVID on death certificates during the second wave, which implies over 30,000 fewer deaths from other causes.”
