Covid causes rise in island death rate

Saturday 25 April 2020

Although Guernsey did see a rise in deaths earlier this month, compared to previous years, the mortality rate from causes not related to corona virus has remained stable.

That means the island isn't seeing more deaths from other causes as a secondary, indirect effect of covid-19 - for example, down to limited access to medical care.

That's despite recently raised concerns that some people were avoiding going to the Emergency Department for other matters, with fears of catching the disease.

"In week 15 we did see an increased mortality and that was related to covid-19," explained Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink. "However, we are concerned about people not accessing healthcare for things other than covid-19. Encouragingly, our mortality for issues not related to covid-19 - so, other causes of death - has remained stable.

"We've analysed that and compared it to the previous ten year average, so we think the data is quite robust."

Pictured: There was a significant rise in deaths in the week beginning 6 April 2020.

So far, 11 people in Guernsey have died of corona virus, with a further four deaths believed to be linked to the disease.

The majority of those people were residents in one of the affected local care homes, while one person has died in hospital.

"Everybody who we think will benefit from being in hospital gets admitted to hospital," said Medical Director of Health & Social Care, Dr Peter Rabey. "But sometimes, when people reach the end of life, it's just not in their interest to move them around the island in an ambulance to somewhere that they’re unfamiliar with and away from their home. It’s just not compassionate.

"So, we’ve been doing everything we can to support people in that position to have a dignified and compassionate death in the place that they’re familiar with."

The 11th confirmed death was announced earlier this week. The patient was resident in a care home and over 80 years of age.