Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

March 15, 2021

Place and Underlying Cause of Death During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Retrospective Cohort Study of 3.5 Million Deaths in England and Wales, 2014 to 2020

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  • During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (between March 2 and July 30, 2020) in England and Wales, there was an overall excess mortality of 57,860 deaths, of which 50,603 (87%) appeared to be directly related to COVID-19. In care homes or hospice facilities, 61% (15,623) of the 25,611 excess deaths were related to COVID-19. Among deaths that occurred at home, most deaths were due to cancer and cardiac disease (5,963 and 2,485, respectively). In hospitals, there were 16,174 fewer non-COVID-19 related deaths than expected, with 4,088 fewer deaths due to cancer and 1,398 fewer deaths due to cardiac disease than expected. The authors suggest that avoiding hospital care for non-COVID-19 conditions, redeployment of healthcare workers, and cancellation of procedures may explain some of these trends. 

Wu et al. (Feb 16, 2021). Place and Underlying Cause of Death During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Retrospective Cohort Study of 3.5 Million Deaths in England and Wales, 2014 to 2020. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.02.007