Killer virus takes more nHs heroes as toll passes 160
‘This crisis is highlighting deep-rooted inequalities that have been papered over for decades’
authorities with the worst mortality rates were London boroughs – Newham (144.3), Brent (141.5) and Hackney (127.4).
London’s overall Covid-19 death rate was 85.7 per 100,000 people – nearly 50 per cent higher than any other region.
The South-west saw the fewest deaths – just 16.4 per 100,000 people – while the average across England andWales was 36.2.
Charities said the worrying trend reflected the fact deprived families were more likely to live in cramped housing, many of them essential workers like carers and NHS staff.
Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan said the figures were “unfortunately not surprising”.
He said: “This crisis is highlighting deep-rooted inequalities that have been papered over for decades.
“Vulnerable children and families and those already experiencing disadvantage risk becoming the forgotten victims.
“Without intervention crisis will be devastating whole generation.
“Their mental health, safety, education and job prospects are on this for a
ICU nurse Felix Khor has spent 30 days on a ventilator
the line.” Imran Hussain, of Action for Children, said: “These figures make clear once again that investing in the nation’s health means tackling poverty.
“This is just as much a priority as funding the NHS.
“Those on low incomes are more likely not only to have poorer underlying health but also work in jobs that put them at greater risk of exposure to the coronavirus.”
The ONS found that the Covid19 death rate in England’s most deprived areas was 118 per cent higher than that of the most affluent areas. This is greater than the 88 per cent difference in the
mortality rate for all deaths. Helen Barnard, acting director at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “It’s crucial that all aspects of the spread of this virus are carefully examined.
“But we know that people in more deprived areas are less likely to have jobs where they can work from home.
“This means they may have to face a very significant drop in income or keep going to work – facing greater risks of catching the virus.
“They are also more likely to live in overcrowded homes, increasing the risk for whole families.This just
Jan Disley
THE tragic death toll among health and social care workers had reached 162 yesterday.
Hospital consultant Dr Nasir Khan, 46, who died at the Royal Bolton Hospital, was hailed “a real-life hero”.
His son Mahad Ali Khan said his dad “dedicated his life to his family and profession and...was a shining light of guidance”.
The father of three had been a locum at Dewsbury and District Hospital, West Yorks.
Martin Barkley, chief of The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said Dr Khan was “a very well-liked and valued member of the team”.
He added: “It is impossible to put into words how much our hearts go out to his family and friends.”
An “extremely fit” paramedic with no underlying health conditions has also died.
Mark Stanley, who worked at Halifax Ambulance Station, West Yorks, lost his battle with the virus in Calderdale Royal Hospital on Thursday.
The 57 year old, of Sowerby Bridge, had been in the job for more than 30 years and leaves a wife and two daughters.
His friend Mark Rattigan said: “He used to do open water swimming, he cycled everywhere, he didn’t smoke, he drank infrequently. You’d struggle to find a 30 year old ‘Shining light’ Dr Nasir Khan
with his level of fitness. But it’s taken him down in a week.”
He was the second Yorkshire Ambulance Service victim this week after an unnamed medic died of Covid-19 on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a nurse who came out of retirement to help his former hospital has spent 30 days on a ventilator.
Felix Khor, from Shoebury, Essex, is fighting for life in Southend Hospital.
Close friend Linda Leak, 73, a former surgical nurse, said: “It’s amazing that he’s still fighting after so long. The hospital is like a big family and, while it’s devastating for the teams, they consider it an honour to be able to look after him.”
She described Felix, who is in his 60s, as “one of the best”. is not right.” Professor Dave Gordon, of the Bristol Poverty Institute and the Townsend Centre for International Poverty Research, said there were many reasons why people in deprived areas faced greater risk.
He pointed out that deprived areas tended to have more dense populations, making it easier for coronavirus to spread.
Poorer people are also more likely to use public transport and to have to leave home to do grocery shopping.
Many also suffer underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Prof Gordon stressed that the problem was not just a “London effect”.
He said: “It is very disappointing but not surprising that more people are dying of Covid-19 infections in deprived areas.
“However what is a surprise is that the inequality in death rates between richer and poorer areas from Covid-19 are so much greater than deaths from other causes.
“In the most deprived 30 per cent of areas people are more than twice as likely to die from Covid19 infections compared with people in the richest 10 per cent of areas in both England and inWales.
“So far the Public Health response to the pandemic has not targeted or tried to shelter people living in deprived areas.
“This is clearly needed these new ONS statistics.” given