THE Bradford neighbourhoods which saw the biggest rise in their death tolls during the coronavirus pandemic have been revealed.

Data published by the Office for National Statistics comparing the number of deaths registered during the pandemic to a baseline from previous years shows some areas of the country were significantly more affected than others. 

The Health Foundation said the virus has laid bare inequalities, with poor health, deprivation and stretched public services to blame for increased exposure.In the 14 months to the end of April, there were 6,309 deaths registered in Bradford – 1,028 (19.5 per cent) more than the 5,281 predicted, according to the ONS figures. 

Of the deaths, 1,162 had Covid-19 listed as the main cause – however, many Covid-related deaths at the start of the pandemic may have been undiagnosed, the ONS cautioned. 

A further breakdown for Bradford, released for the first time, also reveals which of the area’s 61 neighbourhoods, broken down by ‘Middle Super Output Area which is a type of statistical unit used in the reporting of small area statistics, had the highest and lowest excess death rates during the pandemic. 

The measurement compares the number of deaths registered during the period with how many were predicted based on previous mortality rates between 2014 and 2019.

It has been described as the key metric for the impact of the pandemic by chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty.

In Bradford, the neighbourhoods with the highest excess death rates were:

1) Bingley Town – 175 deaths, 75 (75 per cent) more deaths than expected, and including 33 with Covid-19 listed as the main cause

 

2) Brown Royd – 61 deaths, 25 (69.4 per cent) more deaths than expected, including 18 due to Covid-19

3) Canterbury – 77 deaths, 31 (67.4 per cent) more deaths than expected , including 17 due to Covid-19

The neighbourhoods with the lowest excess death rates were:

1) Haigh Fold – 32 deaths, 21 (39.6 per cent) fewer than expected, and including seven with Covid-19 listed as the main cause

2) Wyke – 83 deaths, 15 (15.3 per cent) fewer than expected, including 10 due to Covid-19

3) Bankfoot – 54 deaths, seven (11.5 per cent) fewer than expected, including 11 due to Covid-19

In its Covid-19 Impact Inquiry report, the Health Foundation said people aged under 65 living in the most deprived areas were almost four times more likely to die from the virus, compared to those in the most affluent. It found those in poor health, cramped housing conditions and some working environments faced an increased risk of exposure.

The group now wants the Government to address the harm caused by the pandemic and invest more in helping lift people out of poverty. In Bradford, the highest number of excess deaths came in April last year when there were 367.

The Department of Health and Social Care said increasing vaccine uptake was a “key step” to addressing the disparity of outcomes for those who catch Covid.

A spokesperson said: “The vaccines are saving lives and building a wall of protection against the disease.”