The total deaths from Covid-19 are likely to be around 50,000 to date, almost twice the number being reported according to longevity experts Club Vita.
This actuarial and insurance organisation said delays and omission in reporting the data, mean that the ‘true’ mortality figures from coronavirus are likely to be far higher than official numbers.
Club Vita founder Douglas Anderson says: “Analysing the range of data across each of the four UK nations we expect the increase in deaths to be over 60 per cent higher than the numbers that have been quoted by Downing Street.
“But that is only part of this depressing story. Deaths which do not mention Covid-19 on the death certificate have also risen sharply in recent weeks, suggesting material under-reporting. As a result, we sadly expect that the true number of deaths to be attributed to Covid-19 is closer to 50,000 lives.
“Looking at recently published data from the UK’s national statistics agencies we identified that including deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate, regardless of location, is likely to increase the deaths linked to Covid-19 by over 60 per cent. Put another way, this probably means that we have already seen some 34,000 deaths directly linked to Covid-19.
“Deaths which do not mention Covid-19 on the death certificate have also risen sharply in recent weeks. These include deaths from those who haven’t sought medical help, have had treatment delayed and have not been tested for Covid-19. These “missed” deaths, indirectly related to Covid-19, could account for a further 16,000 deaths looking at current death rates taking the total to 50,000.
“As greater detail emerges on the causes of death being listed on death certificates we may get more clarity.”
Club Vita says official numbers are under-reporting Covid deaths, because they don’t include all deaths in the community, even after the recent inclusion of care home deaths in the daily totals.