Poorest areas in NI at increased risk from virus, two studies say

PEOPLE in the poorest parts of Northern Ireland were more at risk from Covid-19, two studies suggest.

Links between the virus and deprivation emerged in separate reports compiled by health officials and statisticians.

Analysis showed clear differences in how the virus impacted, depending on class, age and gender.

People in the most deprived parts of the region were twice as likely to need hospital treatment as those in the least deprived.

Death rates were also higher in areas of greatest deprivation, once age discrepancies were removed.

The findings were outlined in two bulletins yesterday.

The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) report analysed Covid-19 related deaths from the three months to May 31.

It found the virus accounted for around one in six of all deaths in Northern Ireland in that period.

A second analysis from the Department of Health looked in greater detail at the link between inequality and Covid-19.

It found the hospital admission rate for suspected and confirmed virus cases in the top 10% of most deprived areas — 581 admissions per 100,000 population — was almost double the rate in the 10% least deprived areas — 317 per 100,000.

In terms of the wider infection rate, the bulletin also found stark differences across a range of themes.

Key findings included:

■ The infection rate in the 10% most deprived areas (379 cases per 100,000 population) was a fifth higher than the 10% least deprived areas (317 per 100,000), and two-fifths higher than the Northern Ireland average (272 per 100,000).

■ A clear gender divide, with the rate among females (308 per 100,000) a third higher than males (234 per 100,000).

■ The rate among those aged over 65 was almost two-fifths higher in the 10% most deprived areas (1,027 per 100,000) than that in the 10% least deprived (750 per 100,000) and almost three-quarters higher than the Northern Ireland average.

■ While infection rates were highest in the 10% most deprived areas for under 65s, over 65s, and all ages; the 10% least deprived areas had the second highest infection rate for over 65s and all ages.

■ Of those testing positive, more than a quarter (27%) were admitted to hospital for treatment, with males (39%) twice as likely to be admitted as females (19%). Those in the 10% most deprived areas were 37% more likely to be admitted than those in the 10% least deprived areas.

Meanwhile, data from Nisra revealed Covid-19 related deaths (764) accounted for 17.2% of all deaths in Northern Ireland from March 1 to May 31. The data also revealed that four people whose deaths were linked to coronavirus were healthcare or care-related workers.

While the four were of working age, it is not clear if they were working on the front line prior to their death. It is possible they were retired or shielding.

Statisticians adjusted the figures to account for differing age profiles across the region.

The figures show that the Covid-19 related age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) was highest for the 20% most deprived areas of Northern Ireland, at 60.5 deaths per 100,000 people.

That compared with a region-wide average of 48.2 per 100,000.

The 20% most affluent areas did record more virus-linked deaths than the most deprived areas — 176 to 149.

However, more older people tend to live in affluent areas, so the data was adjusted to reflect this. Once remodelled, the more deprived areas emerged as the most affected.