‘Clear disparity’ in death rates between city communities

LEEDS DATA on Covid-19 deaths shows a “clear disparity” in the impact on different communities as those living in the city’s most deprived areas are 60 per cent more likely to die from the virus compared to those in affluent areas.

Analysis of local data by Leeds Council has found a stark increase in death rates in the more deprived communities in Leeds

– a finding branded “frightening” by one local charity.

For those living in the poorest areas of Leeds, the Covid-19 mortality rate was 37 deaths per 100,000 – 60 per cent higher than that of least deprived areas, which had a rate of 23 per 100,000.

The data, published in a report to next week’s council health scrutiny board, covers Covid-19 deaths in Leeds from the beginning of March to early May. It provides an early indication of trends emerging across the city, which are similar to the national picture.

In Leeds, there have also been more than four times the proportion of deaths in the most deprived 20 per cent of areas than there have in the least deprived areas, which measure at 32 per cent and seven per cent respectively.

The most deprived areas also contain a higher proportion of people shielding – those who are clinically vulnerable and at high risk from coronavirus.

Dom Charkin, of social inequality charity Zest, based in Gipton, said he is sadly “not surprised” by the figures and fears the pandemic has come at “exactly the wrong time” for deprived communities. He said: “It’s really upsetting to see that there is inequality but it’s not surprising. It’s frightening to think what this might mean for inequality in Leeds and nationally going forward.”

He said these communities are less able to work from home and are also more likely to be living with long-term health conditions which make them more susceptible to the virus.

“Therefore it’s not surprising that the death rate is higher and we can assume that the number of people contacting coronavirus as a result has been higher also,” he said.

“Inequality in Leeds has been increasing over the last 10 years and I think that the pandemic has come at exactly the wrong time for these communities less able to cope with it.”

Geographically, five wards in Leeds show “significantly” higher death rates than others – Hunslet and Riverside, Temple Newsam, Beeston and Holbeck, Gipton and Harehills, and Roundhay. But the council said some of the data is based on such small numbers that any small increase or decrease could alter the picture.