Deaths involving COVID-19 Week 5: 1 Feb-7 Feb

As at 7th February, 8,726 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) today. 

In the week 1-7 February, 374 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, this is a decrease of 70 deaths from the previous week.

Three quarters of deaths this week occurred in hospital, representing 281 deaths, 68 occurred in care homes, 22 at home or in non-institutional settings and 3 in other institutions.

The majority of deaths were of people aged 75 and over representing 275 deaths, and 44 deaths were those aged under 65.

There were 215 more deaths registered in the latest week compared with the five year average. This number of excess deaths is a result of COVID-19 related deaths as the number of excess deaths from other causes including respiratory causes, dementia, and circulatory causes are below average for this time of year.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said: 

“As we continue to live with this virus, these figures show the very real consequences facing families and communities across the country who have suffered the loss of a loved one.

“Today’s statistics show a welcome reduction in the number of deaths for the second consecutive week.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland is available on the NRS website.