New figures reveal hundreds of excess deaths in Peterborough during Covid-19 pandemic

Peterborough endured hundreds more deaths than previously expected during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new figures.

The city recorded 425 more deaths between March 2020 and June 2022 than the five-year average would suggest.

The figures have been released by the Office for National Statistics and show there were 11.4 per cent more deaths than were expected over the same time period – meaning the area has an excess death rate similar to the 11.1 per cent average across England and Wales.

Sarah Caul, of the ONS, said excess deaths in 2022 were driven by higher than expected numbers of deaths since March, which could be caused by various factors.

She added: "Across March, April and May we saw increases in deaths due to cardiac arrhythmias, predominantly among those aged 80 and above.

"Further work needs to be done to understand any link between the long-term effects of Covid-19 and increasing cardiac deaths."

The health focused think tank, The King's Fund, states the figures show the "grim human toll of the pandemic", while wide geographical variations – caused by local infection rates, deprivation, and demographics among others – show the unequal impact of Covid-19.

Dr Veena Raleigh, senior fellow at the think tank, warned that as winter approaches, the virus is still present and its future course is "unpredictable".

She said: "NHS services were already stretched prior to the pandemic and are now facing unprecedented pressures with a backlog of almost 7 million people waiting for planned care, plus long delays in emergency services that could cause harm or be life-threatening.

"If the Government wants to forestall the risk of excess deaths climbing again, ministers must take steps now to ensure good uptake of the Covid-19 and flu vaccines, and that the NHS has the workforce and resources to cope with winter pressures.”

The Department of Health and Social Care said its world-leading vaccination programme continues to save lives, with all those over 50 being offered jabs for both Covid and flu.

A DHSC spokesperson added: “The Health and Social Care Secretary is focused on delivering for patients and has set out her four priorities of A, B, C, D – ambulances, backlogs, care, doctors and dentists."