Deaths involving COVID-19, Week 18 - 27th April to 3rd May

As at 3rd May, 2,795 deaths have been registered in Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned in the death certificate, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) today.

Between 27th April to 3rd May, 523 deaths relating to COVID-19 have been registered, a decrease of 135 from the previous week, 20th April to 26th April.  Deaths involving COVID-19 as a proportion of all deaths rose from 16% in week 14 to 36% in week 17 but has fallen to 31% in week 18.

To place these statistics in context, the total number of deaths registered in Scotland from 27th April to 3rd May was 1,673 – 594 (55%) more than the average number of deaths registered in the same week over the last five years, 1,079. This is a decrease of 163 from the number registered in week 17. Of these 594 excess deaths, 83% were deaths where COVID-19 was the underlying cause of death.

More than half of all registered deaths involving COVID-19 in week 18 occurred in care homes, 59% compared to 52% in week 17. Although the percentage has increased, the number of deaths in care homes has gone down in week 18, from 339 to 310. 37% of registered deaths involving COVID-19 in week 18 were in hospitals and 4% were at home or non-institutional settings, compared to 42% and 6% respectively in week 17.

Three quarters of registered deaths involving COVID-19 to date were people aged 75 or over. Of all deaths to date involving COVID-19, 52% were male and 48% were female.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:              

“Every death from this virus is a tragedy. These statistics, alongside the other important evidence being made available by the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland (HPS), are valuable to the understanding of the progress and impact of the COVID-19 virus across Scotland.

These latest figures show that for the first time, since reporting of registered deaths relating to COVID-19 began for week beginning 16th March, there has been a reduction in COVID-19 related deaths from the previous week – down from 658 to 523 COVID-19 related deaths.  

Our aim is to ensure that our statistical publication provides information that is as useful as possible and adds value to the understanding of how the virus is spreading throughout the country. We will continue to review and develop these statistics as new information is made available.”

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