Heartbreaking toll of covid-19 on East Sussex revealed in number of ‘excess deaths’

The devastating toll of covid-19 on towns across East Sussex has been revealed in the number of ‘excess deaths’.
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Places like Lewes have been badly hit by the virus, with almost double the amount of deaths in April 2020 compared to the last five years.

Figures released this week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show there were 182 deaths from all causes in the area last month – compared with an average for the previous five years of 93.

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That is a significant 89 excess deaths in Lewes, a rise of 95.3 per cent.

Eastbourne District General Hospital staff holding a minunte's silence for colleagues who have died from covid-19Eastbourne District General Hospital staff holding a minunte's silence for colleagues who have died from covid-19
Eastbourne District General Hospital staff holding a minunte's silence for colleagues who have died from covid-19

Elsewhere in Wealden an extra 50.1 per cent of deaths were recorded in April.

There were 229 deaths from all causes in Wealden that month, compared to an average of 153 in April for the last five years.

Which means there was an excess of 76 deaths in April 2020 for Wealden.

The devastating toll of covid-19 on East Sussex towns has been revealed SUS-200529-123227001The devastating toll of covid-19 on East Sussex towns has been revealed SUS-200529-123227001
The devastating toll of covid-19 on East Sussex towns has been revealed SUS-200529-123227001
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In Eastbourne there were 143 deaths from all causes in April 2020. The average deaths in April for the previous five years is 106.

Which means this April Eastbourne had 37 excess deaths, a rise of 34.9 per cent.

And in Hastings there were 108 deaths from all causes in April 2020. The average deaths in April for the previous five years is 95.

Which means there were 13 excess deaths in Hastings this April, a rise of 14.2 per cent.

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In Rother there were 143 deaths from all causes in April 2020. The average deaths in April for the previous five years is 112.

Which means there were an excess 31 deaths in Rother this April, a rise of 27.9 per cent.

The figures from the ONS cover the around 150 local authorities in England.

Excess deaths means the number of people who died for any reason over and above the expected number of deaths for that time of year.

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It could serve to shed some light on the full impact of coronavirus – not only on those who died after never having been tested, but also through the knock-on effects of lockdown.

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