13.08.20
Consistent UK-wide methodology set to record Covid-19 deaths
Following a review by Public Health England (PHE) into the methodology used to calculate the number of Covid-19 deaths in the UK, a new single, consistent measure has been agreed.
The announcement comes as daily publication of data on coronavirus deaths is set to resume, with the new methodology being adopted immediately.
All four of the UK’s Chief Medical Officers have endorsed the new approach, which will be used in all nations.
Under the new methodology, the number of deaths in people with Covid-19 that occurred within 28 days of testing positive will be published daily by the UK Government and devolved administrations.
The methodology has been peer-reviewed by independent academics to ensure it uses the best possible indicators and that the methods are applied consistently across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. PHE and the devolved administrations also worked closely with the UK Statistics Authority on these new measures and the new approach is in line with advice from the statistics regulator.
A return to the publication of daily data on Covid-19 deaths will provide accurate data on the immediate impact of recent activities.
Analysis of data in England found 96% of deaths occurred within 60 days or had Covid-19 on the death certificate – 88% of deaths occurred within 28 days.
Professor John Newton, Director of Health Improvement at Public Health England, said: “The way we count deaths in people with COVID-19 in England was originally chosen to avoid underestimating deaths caused by the virus in the early stages of the pandemic.
“Our analysis of the long-term impact of the infection now allows us to move to new methods, which will give us crucial information about both recent trends and overall mortality burden due to Covid-19.”