New figures reveal link between poorer areas and deaths from Covid

Communities in Lanarkshire have been among the worst affected in Scotland for coronavirus deaths.

New statistics have revealed the number of fatalities caused by the illness in communities, before care home deaths are taken into account.

Of the 50 areas in the country with the highest death rates from the virus, 10 are in North Lanarkshire, the second highest number for any region in Scotland behind only Glasgow.

A further four areas in South Lanarkshire also feature in the top 50.

Academics and campaigners say the findings show a direct link between poorer areas and the impact of Covid-19.

In Lanarkshire’s worst affected area, Hamilton Centre and Low Parks, 21 of 25 deaths came within the community itself, with four being from care home residents.

Hamilton Centre and Low Parks was the seventh worst hit area in Scotland for deaths within the community itself, according to the statistics from the National Records of Scotland and revealed after an investigation by the Times newspaper.

Greenend and Carnbroe was the ninth hardest hit area, with 20 deaths, all in the community, and Coatdyke and Whinhall was 10th, with 19 deaths, again all from in the community.

Rowland Kao, the chairman of veterinary epidemiology and data science at Edinburgh University, said: “Working in lower paid jobs often means inability to physically distance, and the lack of compensation means people who should be self-isolating cannot afford to.”

The full list of Lanarkshire areas worst affected are:

Hamilton Central and Low Parks: 21 deaths in community, four in care homes.

Greenend and Carnbroe: 20 deaths, all in community.

Coatdyke and Whinhall: 19 deaths, all in community.

Airdrie North: 17 deaths in community, four in care homes.

Viewpark: 17 deaths in community, one in care home.

Dundyvan: 17 deaths in community, 17 deaths in care homes.

Burnhill and Bankhead North: 16 deaths, all in community.

Motherwell South: 16 deaths, all in community.

Douglas, Coalburn and Rigside: 16 deaths, all in community.

Bellshill South: 16 deaths, all in community.

Townhead: 16 deaths, all in community.

Burgh, Eastfield and Silverbank: 16 deaths, all in community.

Wishaw North: 16 deaths, all in community.

Thrashbush: 15 deaths in community, one death in care home.