Why are more people dying at home?

The death drought continues. For the eighth week in a row the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has recorded fewer deaths in England and Wales than would be expected at this time of year. In the week ending 7 August, 8,945 people died, one fewer than the previous week and 157 (1.7 per cent) lower than the five-year average for this week of the year. There is, however, a geographical divide: deaths in the East Midlands are running five per cent higher than the five-year average. While deaths in the North East and North West are slightly higher than usual.

With the number of deaths across England and Wales below average, the figure for ‘excess deaths’ for 2020 is also down. In the year to date there have been 389,008 deaths in England and Wales, 52,737 more than the five-year average.