2. Deaths registered by week

Figure 1: Deaths in England and Wales involving COVID-19 increased for the first time since Week 16

Number of deaths registered by week, England and Wales, 28 December 2019 to 11 September 2020

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The provisional number of deaths registered in England and Wales increased from 7,739 in Week 36 (week ending 4 September 2020) to 9,811 in Week 37 (week ending 11 September 2020) (Figure 1). The number of deaths was 5.4% above the five-year average (505 deaths higher).

The number of death registrations may have been affected by the August Bank holiday (31 August). This could have caused delays in deaths being registered in Week 36, resulting in an increase in deaths being registered in Week 37. More information on how bank holidays affect death registrations can be found in our Week 20 bulletin.

The number of death registrations in England and Wales involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) increased from 78 in Week 36 to 99 in Week 37 (a 26.9% increase). Of all deaths registered in Week 37, 1.0% mentioned COVID-19.

In England, the number of deaths increased from 7,232 in Week 36 to 9,215 in Week 37, which was 507 deaths higher than the Week 37 five-year average. Of the Week 37 deaths, 1.1% (97 deaths) involved COVID-19 in England.

In Wales, the number of deaths increased from 488 in Week 36 to 578 in Week 37, which was one death higher than the five-year average (577). Of these, 0.2% (one death) involved COVID-19.

In Week 37, in England and Wales, 12.5% of all deaths mentioned "Influenza and Pneumonia", COVID-19 or both, compared with 12.3% in Week 36. "Influenza and Pneumonia" has been included for comparison, as a well-understood cause of death involving respiratory infection that is likely to have somewhat similar risk factors to COVID-19.

Figure 2: Deaths not involving COVID-19 increased above the five-year average

Number of deaths registered by week, England and Wales, 28 December 2019 to 11 September 2020

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Between Weeks 1 and 12, 138,916 deaths were registered, which was 4,822 fewer than the five-year average for these weeks. However, between Weeks 13 and 37, 295,730 deaths were registered, which was 58,226 more than the five-year average.

Looking at the year-to-date (using the most up-to-date data we have available), the number of deaths up to 11 September 2020 was 434,618, which is 53,376 more than the five-year average. Of the deaths registered by 11 September, 52,482 mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, 12.1% of all deaths in England and Wales.

Looking at the year-to-date for England and Wales separately, the number of deaths for England was 408,034, which is 51,791 (14.5%) more than the five-year average. Of these, 49,837 (12.2%) mentioned COVID-19. In Wales, the number of deaths up to 11 September 2020 was 25,941, which is 2,055 (8.6%) more than the five-year average; of these, 2,570 deaths (9.9%) mentioned COVID-19.