Preston neighbourhoods worst hit by pandemic revealed

Analysis shows the districts of the city with highest death tolls
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Preston neighbourhoods which saw the biggest rise in their death tolls during the coronavirus pandemic have been revealed – as well as those which seemingly escaped without major impact.

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Health Foundation said the virus has laid bare inequalities across England and Wales, with poor health, deprivation and stretched public services to blame for increased exposure.

Preston neighbourhoods worst hit by pandemic revealedPreston neighbourhoods worst hit by pandemic revealed
Preston neighbourhoods worst hit by pandemic revealed

In the 14 months to the end of April, there were 1,748 deaths registered in Preston – 285 (19.5 per cent) more than the 1,463 predicted, according to the ONS figures.

Of the deaths, 311 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 Preston, released for the first time, also reveals which of the area's 17 neighbourhoods had the highest and lowest excess death rates during the pandemic.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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 Professor Chris Whitty, the Government's chief medical officer.

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

1) Broughton and Wychnor – 106 deaths, 42 (65.6 per cent) more deaths than expected, and including 17 with Covid-19 listed as the main cause

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

2) St George's – 60 deaths, 20 (50 per cent) more deaths than expected, including 16 due to Covid-19

3) Brookfield and Holme Slack – 165 deaths, 47 (39.8 per cent) more deaths than expected , including 28 due to Covid-19

The neighbourhoods with the lowest excess death rates were:

1) Plungington and University – 75 deaths, the same number as expected, and including 11 with Covid-19 listed as the main cause

2) Fulwood – 93 deaths, seven (8.1 per cent) more than expected, including 19 due to Covid-19

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

3) Longsands – 147 deaths, 12 (8.9 per cent) more than expected, including 28 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.

Assistant director David Finch said: "There is extensive evidence that poor health and existing inequalities left parts of the country vulnerable to the virus and defined the contours of its devastating impact.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Deep-rooted issues such as poor health, increased financial insecurity and strained public services left some people more exposed."

The group now wants the Government to address the harm caused by the pandemic and invest more in helping lift people out of poverty.

Across England and Wales, the ONS reported that two periods over the 14 months – March 2020 to July 2020 and September 2020 to March this year – saw the highest rates for excess deaths.

In Preston, the highest number of excess deaths came in April last year when there were 73.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.”