Deaths involving COVID-19, Week 20 - 11th to 17th May

As at 17th May, 3,546 deaths have been registered in Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) today.

Between 11th to 17th May, 332 deaths relating to COVID-19 have been registered, a decrease of 83 from the previous week, 4th to 10th May. Deaths involving COVID-19 as a proportion of all deaths rose from 16% in week 14 of this year, to 36% in week 17 but has fallen to 23% in week 20. This is the third weekly reduction in deaths involving COVID-19 in a row.

To place these statistics in context, the total number of deaths registered in Scotland from 11th to 17th May was 1,415, 33% more than the average number of deaths registered in the same week over the last five years, 1,064. This is a decrease of 49 from the number of excess deaths registered in week 19. Of the 351 excess deaths in week 20, 85% were deaths where COVID-19 was the underlying cause of death.

More than half of all registered deaths involving COVID-19 in week 20 occurred in care homes, 55% compared to 57% in week 19. The number of deaths in care homes fell for a third week, by 54 to 184.

Three quarters of registered deaths involving COVID-19 to date were people aged 75 or over, 76%.  

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 third  week running since reporting of registered deaths relating to COVID-19 began there has been a reduction in 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.