Latest ONS deaths data (to week ending 13 November) has been released.

1,904 more deaths were recorded in-week compared to the 5-year average.

There had already been more deaths recorded in 2020 by 13 Nov than the whole of 2019 (also more than the average recent year).

There are 2,466 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate this week. However, this was partially offset by deaths from other causes being below normal levels.

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

COVID-19 deaths have increased week-on-week for the tenth week in a row, with only a partial offsetting impact from other causes.

Total deaths in-week are significantly higher than average. The second wave is clearly resulting in significant excess deaths.

ONS have again added analysis to address the myth that flu is killing more than COVID.

COVID was the underlying cause of death for 9-in-10 deaths “with COVID”.

In contrast, flu or pneumonia was the cause of death for only 1-in-9 deaths “with flu or pneumonia”. https://twitter.com/ONS/status/1331169489828929536

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

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

Above analysis makes no allowance for this, numbers come straight from ONS (published a few mins ago).

Later today @longevitymatt will update his analysis of age and population standardised 2020 death rates compared to each of the last five years (2015 to 2019).

This afternoon Continuous Mortality Investigation will publish their Mortality Monitor with a full, detailed analysis.

The CMI report I referred to earlier has now been published.

Death rates were 13% higher than the same week last year.

Excess deaths year to date is at a new high point of 64,900 (and that’s only to November 13th). https://twitter.com/covid19actuary/status/1331246488903704578