Graph shows shocking rise in death rate

THIS graph shows the devastating impact of coronavirus on the number of people dying in the north west compared to previous years.

Data released by the Office For National Statistics (ONS) shows a significant spike in registered deaths compared to the same period of time in previous years.

The graph charts all registered deaths from all causes, showing a sharp increase in April 2020. The increase is mostly down to coronavirus.

There were 1,704 more deaths than the five year average in the week ending April 24 - 1,207 of those were linked to COVID-19.

The latest ONS data released on Tuesday showed coronavirus deaths in hospitals appear to be falling while care home deaths continue to rise.

There were 394 Covid-19 related deaths in Greater Manchester in the week April 18 to 24 - a drop from 530 deaths the week before.

Lives lost in hospitals fell from 366 to 231 in a week, while deaths in care homes rose again from 139 to 143.

The latest figures are based on the number of deaths registered up to May 2 where Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.

Delays in registering deaths can cause the figures to rise a few days later.

The ONS data shows that Greater Manchester’s coronavirus death toll, up until April 24, stood at 1,707.

Most were recorded in hospital, with 1,198 patients’ lives lost, but one in four were in care homes, a total of 412.

There were also 73 deaths recorded at home, 14 in hospices, one in other communal establishments, and nine ‘elsewhere’.

Communal establishments include prisons, halls of residence, hotels and sheltered accommodation, while ‘elsewhere’ covers deaths outside and people declared dead on arrival at hospital.