Latest ONS deaths data (to week ending 1 January) has been released.

2,115 more deaths were recorded in-week compared to the 5-year average. That’s 27% higher. *

In total there have been 614,114 deaths recorded in 2020*, which is 14% more than the 5-year average (2015-19).

* Care is needed when interpreting the Christmas and New Year period due to timing of Bank Holidays.

2020 is also unusual in being a 53-week year.
- The in-week comparison is to week 52 (again).
- The YTD comparison is to an equivalent 53-week period.

There are 3,144 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate this week. However, the excess deaths was smaller with fewer non-COVID deaths registered in week.

87% of the deaths with COVID-19 had it as underlying cause.

Numbers are for England and Wales only.

The 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.

The CMI are reporting weekly using this method. Their Mortality Monitor is due out later today.