High risk for male Muslims

MUSLIM males have the highest rates of death with Covid-19 among all religious groups.

They have a risk 2½ times higher than for men with no religion, revealed the Office for National Statistics.

The figures also suggest a higher Covid death rate among those identifying as Jewish, Hindu and Sikh than other faiths, based on affiliation given in the 2011 Census.

Nick Stripe of ONS said that the higher risk is explained by “geographical, socioeconomic and demographic factors and increased risks associated with ethnicity”.

Adjusted ONS figures found the black male Covid mortality rate twice as high as for white men. Those of South Asian origin are also at higher risk.

The ONS used deaths in England and Wales from March 2 to May 15.