Heartbreaking toll of coronavirus on Harborough revealed in number of 'excess deaths'

Figures out today (Thursday) show that over April this year the Harborough district has seen a shocking 146.3 per cent increase in deaths.

These are compared to the average deaths from all causes each April, over previous five years.

The numbers have been supplied by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

They don't show the number of people who have died after testing positive with Covid-19 but rather the excess of overall deaths, of which Covid-19 has sadly had an influence on.

Excess deaths mean the number of people who died for any reason over and above the expected number of deaths for that time of year.

This sheds some light on the full impact of the coronavirus - it gives a good estimate of the number of people who died not only after testing positive, but those who died never having been tested and also those who died because of the knock-on effects of lockdown.

The numbers for the Harborough district are as follows:

Deaths from all causes in April 2020 (provisional): 166

Average deaths from all causes each April, over previous five years: 67

The number of 'excess' deaths in April 2020 above what would be expected (overall number minus the average for the previous five Aprils): 99

Percentage change in deaths in April 2020, compared to average from previous five years: 146.3 per cent.

The numbers for Leicestershire are as follows:

Deaths from all causes in April 2020 (provisional): 961

Average deaths from all causes each April, over previous five years: 518

The number of 'excess' deaths in April 2020 above what would be expected (overall number minus the average for the previous five Aprils): 443

Percentage change in deaths in April 2020, compared to average from previous five years: 85.7 per cent