Men died of coronavirus at twice the rate of women in England and Wales in March, according to ONS statistics.
The data, which gives more in-depth information on the age, gender, and pre-existing conditions of those who died both inside and outside hospitals, shows that men had a significantly higher rate of death from Covid-19 than women in all of the older age groups.
One in five Covid-19 deaths occurred in people aged between 80 and 84. A further 18% were aged between 85 and 89, while deaths in the 75-79 and 90+ age categories accounted for 16% of deaths each.
There were no deaths among those aged 14 or under in the period covered by the ONS data.
For the first time in England and Wales, the figures also show that most people who had coronavirus at the time of their death died because of the disease rather than with it being a contributory condition.
Of the 3,912 registered deaths involving coronavirus in March, Covid-19 was found to be the underlying cause of death in 86%.
Covid-19 was the third-highest cause of death, accounting for 7% of all cases. Only dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, which accounted for 14% of all deaths, caused more.
The ONS found that the mortality rate was significantly higherin England, at 69.7 deaths for every 100,000 people, than the rate in Wales, 44.5 deaths for every 100,000 people.
The data also offers a further insight into the proportion of victims with underlying health conditions.
Of the 3,912 people who either died because of coronavirus or who had it at the time they died, 91% had at least one pre-existing condition. On average those who died had 2.7 existing conditions.
World Health Organization (WHO) guidance on face masks has remained consistent during the coronavirus pandemic. It has stuck to the line that masks are for healthcare workers – not the public.
“Wearing a medical mask is one of the prevention measures that can limit the spread of certain respiratory viral diseases, including Covid-19. However, the use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide an adequate level of protection, and other measures should also be adopted,” the WHO has stated.
There is no robust scientific evidence – in the form of trials – that ordinary masks block the virus from infecting people who wear them. There is also concerns the public will not understand how to use a mask properly, and may get infected if they come into contact with the virus when they take it off and then touch their faces.
Also underlying the WHO’s concerns is the shortage of high-quality protective masks for frontline healthcare workers.
Nevertheless, masks do have a role when used by people who are already infected. It is accepted that they can block transmission to other people. Given that many people with Covid-19 do not show any symptoms for the first days after they are infected, masks clearly have a potential role to play if everyone wears them.
Sarah Boseley Health editor
The accompanying ONS analysis states that at the start of March, the number of deaths a day was below the five-year average, “likely because of the mild winter and low levels of circulating flu”.
“However, towards the end of the month, we can see that the number of deaths was above the five-year average.”
The figures cover all deaths that were registered up to 6 April but which occurred in March. However, it is expected that the number of deaths for the month will increase as more are registered.
