False: COVID deaths in uk match fall in deaths of other causes.

By: Ganashree N A
December 7 2020

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False: COVID deaths in uk match fall in deaths of other causes.

Fact-Check

The Verdict False

Non-COVID-19 deaths reduced in July but increased between March and May, due to lack of treatments, and COVID-19 as an underlying issue.

Claim ID ddd70707

Non-COVID-19 deaths reduced in July but increased between March and May, due to lack of treatments, and COVID-19 as an underlying issue. According to a report by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), death from Dec. 28, 2019, to Jul. 10, 2020, shows that non-COVID-19 deaths were at the same level as previous years. According to the ONS report, for deaths between Mar. 7, 2020, and May 1, 2020, there has been an increase of 15.3% more non-COVID-19 deaths occurring in the U.K compared to the same period from the previous five years. For the period between May 2, 2020, and Jul. 10, 2020, there was a 6% reduction in non-COVID-19 related deaths. Some of the causes of these deaths were conditions caused without treating earlier symptoms of heart and related circulatory conditions, like diabetes or appendicitis. Another reason for the increase in non-COVID death was maybe because of undiagnosed COVID-19. Most leading causes of death that increased between Mar. 7 and May 1 included dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and chronic lower respiratory diseases. Since the end of July, analysis shows that the number of people dying at home from non-COVID-19 related causes has not reduced. There is also a slight increase in the death ratio of people with non-COVID-19 related causes. Thus, we can say that slightly more non-COVID-19 related deaths have been registered in the U.K compared to previous years, and the COVID-19 related deaths account for a surplus in deaths in the country and do not offset the reduction in non-COVID-19 related deaths. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.

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