London suffers hundreds of Covid deaths since Freedom Day - here’s how areas compare

More than 650 Londoners have died after contracting Covid-19 since Freedom Day, on July 19.

One in nine deaths in the capital since then have been caused by coronavirus, according to analysis by LondonWorld’s sister site, NationalWorld.

On July 19, pubs, bars and night clubs were able to reopen fully - with Londoners enjoying the life they led before Covid.

Across the city, people have been making the most of the great nightlife - however this has led to a rise in coronavirus rates.

And the latest UK Government figures show there have been 666 deaths in London since the country reopened on 19 July, a rate of 7.4 per 100,000 people.

This is one of lowest rates across England, however there are large disparities between boroughs across the city.

The Institute for Public Policy Research think tank said that “differences in the conditions in which people live and work determine your risk of catching Covid-19”.

Brent, in north-west London, had the highest rate of Covid deaths after Freedom Day, with 36 across the borough which is 11 per 100,000.

Ealing had the second rate of deaths, at 10.6 per 100,000.

While Hackney and the City of London and Croydon both ranked third with 10.3 deaths per 100,000.

Waltham Forest and Hillingdon also had death rates above 10 per 100,000.

Richmond, which is one of London’s most affluent boroughs, had the lowest rate of deaths - with just 4 per 100,000.

While Camden and Barking and Dagenham had the joint second lowest rate at 4.7 per 100,000.

Tower Hamlets, Kingston and Kensington and Chelsea were the next lowest boroughs, who all had rates around 5 per 100,000.

Full figures about each borough is available on our interactive map below.

What about the rest of the England?

The latest UK Government figures show there have been 5,892 deaths in England since the country reopened on 19 July, a rate of 10.4 per 100,000 people.

The North East has recorded the highest death rate, with 476 deaths as of 25 September, or 17.8 per 100,000 of the population.

The South East in comparison has the lowest death rate in England, recording 569 deaths or a rate of 6.2 per 100,000 – almost three times lower. This is followed by London.

However, the North West has recorded the greatest number of deaths overall. The region has seen 991 deaths since 19 July, representing 17% of all deaths in England.

Sunderland has been the worst-hit by Covid deaths since ‘Freedom Day’.

The city has recorded 28.4 deaths per 100,000 people - 2.7 times higher than the England average. In total there have been 79 deaths.

This is followed by Hartlepool, which has seen a death rate of 23.4 per 100,000, and Redcar and Cleveland, which has a death rate of 23.3.

The figures are based on the number of deaths within 28 days of a positive test by date of death.

Some recent deaths may not have been registered yet, and may not be included.

‘Differences in conditions determines your risk of catching Covid-19’

IPPR research fellow, Dr Parth Patel said: “We know that differences in the conditions in which people live and work determine your risk of catching Covid-19.

“After over a decade of Westminster’s austerity that has disproportionately affected regions like the North, including by cutting their public health budgets.

“It couldn’t be more urgent as we enter what is going to be a very tough winter.”

‘Any death is a tragedy’

A spokesperson for the UK Government said the new Office for Health Improvement and Disparities will help to level up health across the country.

“Any death is a tragedy and we know Covid-19 had a disproportionate impact on certain groups which is why Public Health England carried out a rapid review to better understand the relationship between this virus and factors like ethnicity, obesity and deprivation.

“The new Office for Health Improvement and Disparities will lead national efforts to improve and level up the health of the nation by tackling obesity, improving mental health and promoting physical activity.”