Deaths involving COVID-19 Week 25 – 15th to 21st June

As at 21st June, 4,119 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, an increase of 49 deaths from the previous week, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) today.

From 15th to 21st June, 39 more deaths from all causes were registered compared with the average number for this time of year.

Over the 14 week period from 16th March to 21st June, the number of excess deaths, which represents the total number of deaths registered minus the average number of deaths registered in the same period, was 4,917.  By location of death there were:

• 2,463 excess deaths in care homes which is 72% above average 
• 2,329 excess deaths at home or in non-institutional settings which is 58% above average
• 133 excess deaths in hospitals 2% above average, but a decrease since an early peak during this period.

In care home and hospitals, COVID-19 was the cause of the majority of excess deaths whilst in home and non-institutional settings there were far fewer excess deaths involving COVID-19.  Cancer, circulatory deaths, and deaths from other causes accounted for most of the excess deaths in these settings.  In hospital settings there were lower than average numbers of deaths from all causes other than COVID-19.   

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:               

“These statistics represent the heartbreak of many families across the country who have lost loved ones and every death from this virus is a tragedy.

“Producing these statistics, alongside the other important evidence being made available by the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland (HPS), provides vital information to help understand the progression and impact of the virus in Scotland. 

“Since the peak in mid-April, the number of registered COVID-19 related deaths has fallen for eight successive weeks. In the week ending 21st June, 49 COVID-19 related deaths were registered, representing the second smallest weekly total since the start of the pandemic in Scotland. 

“At the peak of the pandemic, 36 % of all registered deaths referenced COVID-19. The latest weekly figure reports that this is now the case in 5 % of registered deaths.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland and an infographic summary is available on this website.