Thread by @ONS

An estimated 63,000 excess winter deaths occurred in England and Wales in winter 2020 to 2021.

This was

▪️ 6.1 times higher than winter 2019 to 2020
▪️ the highest since 1969 to 70

➡️ ow.ly/FoIE50GWVrR

Excess winter deaths is a statistical measure of the increase in mortality during winter months (December to March) compared with non-winter months (the preceding August to November and following April to July) ow.ly/FoIE50GWVrR

The growth in the winter of 2020 to 21 was mostly driven by the large number of #COVID19 deaths in non-winter months of 2020 (April to July) and winter months of 2021 (December to March) ow.ly/FoIE50GWVrR

The excess winter mortality index is calculated so comparisons can be made between sexes, age groups and geographical areas.

Using this measure, the excess winter mortality index in England was significantly higher than all winters since 1991 to 1992 ow.ly/FoIE50GWVrR

In Wales, the excess winter mortality index was significantly higher than every winter since 1991 to 1992 except 2017 to 2018 ow.ly/FoIE50GWVrR

In the winter of 2020 to 2021, most excess winter deaths were in hospitals in England (36,500) and Wales (2,100).

More hospital deaths occurred in the winter than the non-winter months, with

▪️ 54.7% more in England, and
▪️ 39.1% more in Wales

➡️ ow.ly/FoIE50GWVrR