Coronavirus: Death rates twice as high in England’s deprived areas, new figures show

Poor parts of London struggling with overcrowding problems by far the worst hit over past three months

The death rate from the coronavirus in deprived areas of England is more than double that in wealthier parts of the country, according to the Office for National Statistics.

There were 128.3 deaths per 100,000 people from Covid-19 in the most deprived council areas — 118 per cent higher than the 58.8 deaths per 100,000 in the least deprived communities.

Sarah Caul, head of mortality analysis at the ONS, said: “People living in more deprived areas have continued to experience Covid-19 mortality rates more than double those living in less deprived areas.

“General mortality rates are normally higher in more deprived areas, but Covid-19 appears to be increasing this effect.”

Covid-19 mortality rates more than halved in all but two regions in England between April and May, the latest ONS figures show.

England’s northeast had the highest mortality rates in May, as London coronavirus deaths dropped last month.

The local authority with the highest Covid-19 mortality rate for May was Preston in Lancashire, with a rate of 51 deaths per 100,000 people.

However, London still has the overall highest mortality rate over the past three months, with 137 deaths per 100,000 people — more than a third higher than the next highest region.

Nine of the 10 local authorities with the highest Covid-19 mortality rates since March were London boroughs all struggling with poverty and overcrowding problems.

Brent had the highest rate with 210 deaths per 100,000 people, followed by Newham (196 deaths per 100,000 people) and Hackney (182 deaths per 100,000 people).

Commenting on the figures showing the northeast was the worst-affected region for deaths last month, Tory mayor of Tees Valley Ben Houchen said the region was up to six weeks behind London for peak number of cases.

He said: “Every death from coronavirus is one too many and it is tragic for those families who have lost friends and loved ones, and my thoughts go out to everyone who has been affected by this awful virus.”