Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 27 November 2020

• The number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending 27 November 2020 (Week 48) was 12,456; this was 79 fewer deaths than in Week 47.
• In Week 48, the number of deaths registered was 20.3% above the five-year average (2,099 deaths higher).
• Of the deaths registered in Week 48, 3,040 mentioned "novel coronavirus (COVID-19)", accounting for 24.4% of all deaths in England and Wales; an increase of 343 deaths compared with Week 47.
• Of the 3,040 deaths involving COVID-19, 2,637 had this recorded as the underlying cause of death (86.7%).
• Of the 2,693 deaths that involved Influenza and Pneumonia, 285 had this recorded as the underlying cause of death (10.6%).
• The number of deaths in hospitals, care homes, private homes and other locations was above the five-year average in Week 48.
• In England, the total number of deaths decreased from 11,675 (Week 47) to 11,645 (Week 48); all English regions had a higher number of deaths than the five-year average for the third week in a row.
• In Week 48, there were 2,820 deaths involving COVID-19 in England while the number of deaths involving COVID-19 increased in all English regions except the North West of England.
• In Wales, the number of deaths involving COVID-19 decreased from 223 deaths (Week 47) to 218 deaths (Week 48), while the total number of deaths in Week 48 was 151 deaths higher than the five-year average.
• We estimate that the number of deaths actually occurring (rather than registered) in Week 48 in England and Wales was between 11,277 and 13,922.
• The number of deaths registered in the UK in the week ending 27 November 2020 was 14,106, which was 2,329 deaths higher than the five-year average; of the deaths registered in the UK in Week 48, 3,371 deaths involved COVID-19, 331 deaths higher than in Week 47.

Figure 1: The number of deaths was above the five-year average in Week 48

Number of deaths registered by week, England and Wales, 28 December 2019 to 27 November 2020

Notes:

1. Figures exclude deaths of non-residents.
2. Based on date a death was registered rather than occurred.
3. All figures for 2020 are provisional.
4. The number of deaths registered in Weeks 19, 20, 22, 23, 36 and 37 were affected by the Early May, Late May and August Bank Holidays (Friday 8 May 2020 in Week 19, Monday 25 May 2020 in Week 22 and Monday 31 August 2020); the impact of the Early May Bank Holiday was analysed in our Week 20 bulletin.

Download the data

.xlsx

The provisional number of deaths registered in England and Wales decreased from 12,535 in Week 47 (week ending 20 November 2020) to 12,456 in Week 48 (week ending 27 November 2020). The number of deaths was 20.3% above the five-year average (2,099 deaths higher).

In England, the number of deaths decreased from 11,675 in Week 47 to 11,645 in Week 48, which was 1,955 deaths (20.2%) higher than the Week 48 five-year average (Figure 1).

In Wales, the number of deaths decreased from 848 in Week 47 to 797 in Week 48, which was 151 deaths (23.4%) higher than the Week 48 five-year average (Figure 1).

Figure 2: The number of deaths involving COVID-19 continued to increase

Deaths involving and due to COVID-19 and Influenza and Pneumonia, England and Wales, deaths registered in 2020

Notes:

1. Figures include deaths of non-residents.
2. Based on date a death was registered rather than occurred.
3. All figures for 2020 are provisional.
4. The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition (ICD-10) definitions are as follows: coronavirus (COVID-19) (U07.1 and U07.2) and Influenza and Pneumonia (J09-J18).
5. A death can be registered with both COVID-19 and Influenza and Pneumonia mentioned on the death certificate. Deaths where both were mentioned have been counted in both categories.
6. We use the term “due to COVID-19” or “due to Influenza and Pneumonia” when referring only to deaths where that illness was recorded as the underlying cause of death. We use the term “involving COVID-19” or “involving Influenza and Pneumonia” when referring to deaths that had that illness mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, whether as an underlying cause or not.
7. The number of deaths registered in Weeks 19, 20, 22, 23, 36 and 37 were affected by the Early May, Late May and August Bank Holidays (Friday 8 May 2020 in Week 19, Monday 25 May 2020 in Week 22 and Monday 31 August 2020); the impact of the Early May Bank Holiday was analysed in our Week 20 bulletin.

Download the data

.xlsx

The number of death registrations in England and Wales involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) increased, from 2,697 in Week 47 to 3,040 in Week 48 – a 12.7% increase. Of all deaths registered in Week 48, 24.4% mentioned COVID-19. This was the highest percentage since Week 20 (week ending 15 May 2020).

In England, the number of deaths involving COVID-19 was 2,820, 24.2% of all deaths. In Wales, 218 deaths involved COVID-19, 27.4% of all deaths.

Of the 3,040 deaths that involved COVID-19, 2,637 had this recorded as the underlying cause of death (86.7%, Figure 2). Of the 2,693 deaths that involved Influenza and Pneumonia, 285 had this coded as the underlying cause of death (10.6%).

Deaths that involved both COVID-19 and Influenza and Pneumonia have been included in both categories for consistency when comparing with the underlying cause of death. Influenza and Pneumonia has been included for comparison, as a well-understood cause of death involving respiratory infection that is likely to have somewhat similar risk factors to COVID-19. More detailed analysis is available in our Deaths due to coronavirus (COVID-19) compared with deaths from influenza and pneumonia release.

We have developed an experimental statistical model to estimate the number of deaths that actually occurred in a given week, rather than the number registered. For Week 47, we estimate that 12,391 deaths occurred in England and Wales, with a 95% confidence interval of 12,057 to 12,803. Based on an incomplete count of registrations in Week 48, we estimate that the number of deaths occurring in Week 48 is likely to be 12,471 with a 95% confidence interval of 11,277 to 13,922.

These are provisional estimates that assume the pattern of occurrences can be predicted based on experience in previous years. The estimate for the most recent week always has a wider margin of error than for earlier weeks, so it should be treated with caution.

Figure 3: Deaths not involving COVID-19 remained below the five-year average in Week 48

Number of deaths registered by week, England and Wales, 28 December 2019 to 27 November 2020

Notes:

1. Figures include deaths of non-residents.
2. Based on date a death was registered rather than occurred.
3. All figures for 2020 are provisional.
4. The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition (ICD-10) definitions are as follows: coronavirus (COVID-19) (U07.1 and U07.2).

Download the data

.xlsx

Between Weeks 1 and 12, 138,916 deaths were registered, which was 4,822 fewer than the five-year average for these weeks. However, between Weeks 13 and 48, 416,003 deaths were registered, which was 69,559 more than the five-year average.

Using the most up-to-date data we have available, the number of deaths up to 27 November 2020 was 554,893, which is 64,711 more than the five-year average. Of the deaths registered by 27 November 2020, 66,907 mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate. This is 12.1% of all deaths in England and Wales.

In England, the number of deaths up to 27 November 2020 was 520,422, which is 62,367 (13.6%) more than the five-year average. Of these, 63,143 (12.1%) mentioned COVID-19. In Wales, the number of deaths up to 27 November 2020 was 33,705, which is 2,982 (9.7%) more than the five-year average; of these, 3,682 deaths (10.9%) mentioned COVID-19.

In Week 48, the number of deaths involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) in England and Wales increased or remained similar across all age groups compared with Week 47. The biggest increase was seen in those aged 85 to 89 years (115 more deaths). Three-quarters of deaths involving COVID-19 were in people aged 75 years and over.

Across Weeks 1 to 48 of 2020, 55.4% of all deaths involving COVID-19 were in males. There were more deaths in females aged 85 years and over (14,981) than males aged 85 years and over (12,908). However, these numbers do not account for the population structure where there are more women aged over 85 years than men.

Looking at excess deaths by age group, the number of deaths up to 27 November 2020 was above the five-year average for all age groups above 14 years. While the number of deaths for age groups under 15 years was below the five-year average (Figure 4).

Figure 4: The number of deaths in 2020 exceeded the five-year average in age groups 15 years and over

Number of deaths registered by week and age group, England and Wales, 28 December 2019 to 27 November 2020

Notes:

1. Figures include deaths of non-residents.
2. Based on date a death was registered rather than occurred.
3. All figures for 2020 are provisional.
4. The International Classification of Diseases, tenth edition (ICD-10) definitions are as follows: coronavirus (COVID-19) (U07.1 and U07.2).
5. Individual weeks may not sum to the year-to-date analysis as previous weeks have been recalculated to have the most up-to-date figures.
6. Does not include deaths where age is either missing or not yet fully coded.

Download the data

.xlsx

Figure 5: The number of deaths in Week 48 was higher than the five-year average in all English regions and Wales

Number of deaths in Wales and regions in England, registered between 28 December 2019 and 27 November 2020

Notes:

1. Based on area of usual residence. Geographical boundaries are based on the most up-to-date information available at the time of publication.
2. Figures exclude deaths of non-residents.
3. Based on date a death was registered rather than occurred.
4. All figures for 2020 are provisional.
5. The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition (ICD-10) definitions are as follows: coronavirus (COVID-19) (U07.1 and U07.2).

Download the data

.xlsx

In Week 48 (week ending 27 November 2020), there were 218 deaths involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) registered in Wales – a 2.2% decrease compared with Week 47 (223 deaths). Across the English regions, the North West continued to have the largest number of deaths involving COVID-19 (546 deaths) although the number of deaths is a decrease compared with the 629 deaths in Week 47. The highest proportion of deaths involving COVID-19 was seen in Yorkshire and The Humber.

Deaths involving COVID-19 increased in Week 48 in eight out of nine English regions, with the largest increases seen in the South East and South West. More detailed geographic analysis between 1 March and 31 July 2020 can be found in our Deaths involving COVID-19 by local area and socioeconomic deprivation release.

The year-to-date analysis shows that, of deaths involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) up to Week 48 (week ending 27 November 2020), 66.3% (44,346 deaths) occurred in hospital, with the remainder occurring in care homes (17,889 deaths), private homes (3,257 deaths), hospices (908 deaths), other communal establishments (265 deaths) and elsewhere (242 deaths).

Between Weeks 47 and 48, the number of deaths involving COVID-19 increased in hospitals (189 deaths higher), care homes (104 deaths higher) and private homes (38 deaths higher). Deaths involving COVID-19 in hospitals as a proportion of all deaths in hospitals increased to 38.7% in Week 48 – the highest since Week 19 (week ending 8 May 2020). Deaths involving COVID-19 in care homes as a proportion of all deaths in care homes increased to 23.5% in Week 48, the highest since Week 22 (week ending 29 May 2020).

Detailed analysis on deaths of care home residents is available in Deaths involving COVID-19 in the care sector, England and Wales: deaths occurring up to 12 June 2020 and registered up to 20 June 2020.

As well as Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides numbers of deaths involving COVID-19 in care homes in England that are based on the date the death was notified to the CQC. From 10 April (the first day when data were collected using the CQC's new method of identifying deaths involving COVID-19) to 4 December 2020, there were 17,023 deaths of residents in care homes involving COVID-19. Of these deaths, 430 were notified in the week up to 4 December. More information on the data provided by the CQC can be found in our joint transparency statement.

In Wales, the Welsh Government publishes the number of deaths of care home residents involving COVID-19 notified to the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW). Between 1 March and 20 November 2020, there were 934 deaths of residents in care homes involving COVID-19.

More information on how these numbers have compared throughout the pandemic can be found in our previous Comparison of weekly death occurrences in England and Wales release.

Figure 6: Excess deaths in care homes and private homes fell in week 48

Number of excess deaths by place of occurrence, England and Wales, registered between 7 March 2020 and 27 November 2020

Notes:

1. Based on area of usual residence. Geographical boundaries and communal establishments are based on the most up-to-date information available.
2. Figures include deaths of non-residents.
3. Based on date a death was registered rather than occurred.
4. All figures for 2020 are provisional.
5. The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition (ICD-10) definitions are as follows: coronavirus (COVID-19) (U07.1 and U07.2).
6. “Other" includes deaths in communal establishments other than hospitals and care homes, in hospices, and that occurred “elsewhere”. More information on the place of death definitions used is available in the accompanying dataset.

Download the data

.xlsx

In Week 48, the numbers of deaths in private homes, hospitals, care homes and other locations were all above the five-year average (968, 994, 137 and 1 deaths respectively) (Figure 6).

Looking in more detail at deaths in private homes in Week 48, males accounted for 511 excess deaths, compared with 457 for females. Overall, 78.2% of the excess deaths in private homes were of those aged 70 years and over (757 excess deaths); this has decreased from 76.2% (763 excess deaths) in Week 47. The Deaths in private homes release provides analysis for deaths registered from 28 December 2019 to 11 September 2020. In addition, more detailed analysis of excess deaths in England is produced by Public Health England (PHE) on a weekly basis.

Figure 7 is based on date of death for deaths registered up to 5 December 2020, rather than date of registration. As more deaths are registered, deaths per day are likely to increase, especially for later dates. Looking at the number of deaths that occurred in Week 48, 74.3% of deaths occurred in hospitals, and care homes accounted for 19.2% of all deaths involving COVID-19; this may change as more deaths are registered.

A death of a man aged 80 to 84 years was registered in the week ending 4 September 2020 (Week 36) that occurred in the week ending 31 January 2020 (Week 5). This is the earliest known death involving COVID-19 in the UK. There was also a death of a man aged 55 to 59 years registered in the week ending 21 August 2020 (Week 34) that occurred in the week ending 7 February (Week 6), and a death of a female aged 30 to 34 years that was registered by 24 October 2020 and occurred in the week ending 28 February 2020 (Week 9).

Across the UK, there were 14,106 deaths (all causes) registered in Week 48 (week ending 27 November 2020), which was 2,329 deaths higher than the UK five-year average and 173 fewer deaths than in Week 47. Of these deaths, 3,371 involved the coronavirus (COVID-19), 331 deaths higher than in Week 47 (a 10.9% increase).

In Week 48, England had the highest number of deaths involving COVID-19 with 2,820 deaths, followed by Scotland with 252 deaths, Wales with 218 deaths and Northern Ireland with 81 deaths.

We previously published this section as a separate article on the Office for National Statistics (ONS) website, which provided a more thorough description of the differences between different data sources. This section will look at the number of deaths by date of death produced by the ONS compared with death notifications reported by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). For Wales, we can also compare the reconciled DHSC data by date of death released by Public Health Wales (PHW).

On 12 August 2020, Public Health England (PHE) revised their data series to include two measures: deaths of positively tested individuals where the death occurred within 28 days and deaths within 60 days of a positive test. More information on these changes can be found in their technical summary.

In England, including deaths that occurred up to 27 November 2020 but were registered up to 5 December 2020, of those we have processed so far, the number involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) was 64,199.

The comparative number of death notifications reported by the DHSC on GOV.UK (based on data from PHE) where the deaths occurred within 28 days of testing was 50,804 and the number of deaths by date of death showed 51,759.

In Wales, including deaths that occurred up to 27 November 2020 but were registered up 5 December 2020, of those we have processed so far, the number involving COVID-19 was 3,767. The comparative number of death notifications reported by the DHSC on GOV.UK (based on data from PHW) where the death occurred within 28 days of testing was 2,523 and the number of deaths by date of death was 2,614 deaths.

Filter these data

Try the new way to filter and download these data:

• Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales by age and sex: COVID-19

• Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales by region: COVID-19

• Death registrations and occurrences by local authority and place of death

• Death registrations and occurrences by health board and place of death

Coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths

Coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths are those deaths registered in England and Wales in the stated week where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. A doctor can certify the involvement of COVID-19 based on symptoms and clinical findings – a positive test result is not required. Definitions of COVID-19 for deaths in Scotland and Northern Ireland are similar to England and Wales.

More quality and methodology information on strengths, limitations, appropriate uses, and how the data were created is available in the Mortality statistics in England and Wales QMI.

To meet user needs, we publish very timely but provisional counts of death registrations in England and Wales in our Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional dataset. These are presented by sex, age group and regions (within England) as well as for Wales as a whole. To allow time for registration and processing, these figures are published 11 days after the week ends. Because of the rapidly changing situation, in this bulletin we have also given provisional updated totals based on the latest available death registrations, up to 27 November 2020.

Because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, our regular weekly deaths release now provides a separate breakdown of the number of deaths involving COVID-19: that is, where COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, including in combination with other health conditions. If a death certificate mentions COVID-19, it will not always be the main cause of death but may be a contributory factor. This bulletin summarises the latest weekly information and will be updated each week during the pandemic.

From the bulletin dated 3 November 2020, we have added two additional analyses.

Previously, we gave a breakdown of deaths involving COVID-19 into those where COVID-19 was the underlying cause of death ("due to COVID-19") and those where it was a contributory factor ("involving COVID-19") in the monthly mortality analysis; because of high public interest, this distinction is now shown in Figure 2 of the weekly bulletin.

This bulletin is based mainly on the date deaths are registered, not the date of death, because of the time taken for a death to be registered. Deaths in England and Wales are normally registered within five days, but there can be a considerably longer delay in some circumstances, particularly when the death is referred to a coroner.

We have developed a statistical model to estimate the number of deaths likely to have occurred in each week, based on previous experience of the pattern of registration delays, including the effects of bank holidays. The method is described in the article Predicting total weekly death occurrences in England and Wales: methodology and the results are shown in the tab, "Estimated total deaths 2020", of the accompanying dataset.

These figures are different from the daily surveillance figures on COVID-19 deaths published by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on the GOV.UK website, for the UK as a whole and its constituent countries. Figures in this report are derived from the formal process of death registration and may include cases where the doctor completing the death certificate diagnosed possible cases of COVID-19, for example, where this was based on relevant symptoms but no test for the virus was conducted.

From 29 April 2020, the DHSC started to publish as their daily announced figures on deaths from COVID-19 for the UK a new series that uses improved data for England produced by Public Health England (PHE). These figures provide a count of all deaths where a positive test for COVID-19 has been confirmed, wherever that death has taken place, a change from previously reporting only confirmed COVID-19 deaths in hospitals. Figures for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland had already begun to include deaths outside hospitals, so this change ensured that the UK-wide series had a shared and common definitional coverage. A statement was published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which provides more detail of the changes.

On 12 August 2020, the PHE data series was revised to include two measures: deaths of positively tested individuals where the death occurred within 28 days and deaths within 60 days of a positive test. More information on these changes can be found in their technical summary (PDF, 854KB).

In contrast to the GOV.UK figures, we include only deaths registered in England and Wales, which is the legal remit of the ONS. Tables 2 and 3 provide an overview of the differences in definitions between sources.

We will publish accompanying articles periodically, giving enhanced information such as age-standardised and age-specific mortality rates for recent time periods and breakdowns of deaths involving COVID-19 by associated pre-existing health conditions.

There is usually a delay of at least five days between occurrence and registration. More information on this issue can be found in our impact of registration delays release.

Our User guide to mortality statistics provides further information on data quality, legislation and procedures relating to mortality and includes a glossary of terms.

Figures are based on the date the death was registered, not when it occurred. There is usually a delay of at least five days between occurrence and registration. More information on this issue can be found in our impact of registration delays release.