Latest ONS deaths data (to week ending 2 October) has been released.

390 more deaths were recorded in-week compared to the 5-year average.

Year to date there have been 13% more deaths than the 5-year average (2015-19).

There are 321 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate this week, but there were also slightly more deaths from other causes. Non-COVID deaths were 1% above the 5-year average.

Numbers are for England and Wales only and are 11-17 days old.

COVID-19 deaths have increased for the fourth week in a row and there is no offsetting impact from deaths from other causes being lower (as we saw in the summer months). Non-COVID deaths are at normal levels and so, like last week, the excess and COVID deaths numbers are similar.

The best way to compare 2020 to earlier years is to examine age-standardised death rates.

Comparing death counts can be distorted a bit by ageing and growth of the population.

The CMI report on this basis and their next Mortality Monitor is expected on Tues 20 October.