There were more deaths in England and Wales last month than in any other November over the last 10 years, according to analysis by the Continuous Mortality Investigation (CMI).
The CMI's latest update also shows that mortality rates were 12% higher between 21 November and 27 November (week 48) than during the corresponding week for 2019.
The increase was 13% in week 47 and 46, 9% in week 45, 6% in both 44 and 43, and 2% in week 42.
Moreover, the analysis reveals that the number of deaths with COVID-19 mentioned on the death certificate increased from under 100 in week 37, to 3,040 in week 48.
The CMI estimates that there were around 67,900 more deaths in the UK between the start of the pandemic and 27 November 2020 than if mortality rates were similar to those experienced in 2019.
This is up from the 66,500 figure for 'excess' deaths reported last week.
“We have seen a seventh consecutive week of excess deaths,” said Cobus Daneel, chair of the CMI Mortality Projections Committee.
“While mortality rates are not as high as in the first wave of the pandemic, they are higher than any November in the past 10 years.”
Owned by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, the CMI has been publishing analysis of the UK's mortality rate during the coronavirus crisis through its mortality monitor, based on data from the Office for National Statistics.
It estimates that the cumulative mortality improvement in England and Wales for 2020 was -11.8% on 27 November, compared to +0.1% on 20 March.
The latest figures for excess deaths contrast sharply with the figures for weeks 38, 39, 40 and 41, when mortality was slightly lower than expected.
The CMI also revealed last month that the number of deaths in England and Wales between July and September of 2020 was lower than in any other quarter on record.
It intends to publish its next mortality monitor for week 49 on 15 December 2020.
Image credit: iStock
Author: Chris Seekings