During the coronavirus pandemic, the Continuous Mortality Investigation (CMI) is publishing weekly UK mortality analysis through its mortality monitor

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Continuous Mortality Investigation (CMI) is publishing weekly UK mortality analysis through its mortality monitor. This week’s update shows the position as at week 17 of 2020 (18 April to 24 April) based on provisional England & Wales deaths data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 5 May 2020.

The key points of this update are:

  • There were 2.2 times as many deaths registered in week 17 of 2020 than if death rates had been the same as week 17 of 2019. The ratio was 2.4 in week 16 and 1.8 in week 15.
  • These ‘excess’ deaths in week 17 were 1.4 times the number of registered deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
  • There may have been around 55,000 more deaths in the UK from the start of the pandemic to 4 May 2020 than if mortality rates were similar to those experienced in 2019.

Cobus Daneel, Chair of the CMI Mortality Projections Committee said: “This is the first week that we’ve seen a reduction in the number of ‘excess’ deaths. This suggests that we are over the peak of the current outbreak. However, our analysis also suggests that the true impact of the coronavirus pandemic is roughly double that of commonly-quoted figures for COVID-19 deaths.”

All mortality monitor weekly updates are publicly available on the mortality monitor page.

~ENDS~

Contact
Sonia Sequeira, Media Relations Manager, IFoA
Tel: 07525 592 198
Email: sonia.sequeira@actuaries.org.uk

About the Continuous Mortality Investigation

Continuous Mortality Investigation Limited (‘the CMI’) is wholly owned by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries but has an independent executive and management.

The CMI’s mission is to produce high-quality impartial analysis, standard tables and models of mortality and morbidity for long-term insurance products and pension scheme liabilities on behalf of subscribers and, in doing so, to further actuarial understanding.

About the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is a royal chartered, not-for-profit, professional body.

Research undertaken by the IFoA is not commercial.  As a learned society, research helps us to fulfil our royal charter requirements to further actuarial science and serve the public interest. 

Actuaries provide commercial, financial and prudential advice on the management of a business’s assets and liabilities, especially where long term management and planning are critical to the success of any business venture. They also advise individuals, and advise on social and public interest issues.

Members of the IFoA have a statutory role in the supervision of pension funds and life insurance companies. They also have a statutory role to provide actuarial opinions for managing agents at Lloyd’s of London.

Members are governed by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. A rigorous examination system is supported by a programme of continuing professional development and a professional code of conduct supports high standards reflecting the significant role of actuaries in society.

The IFoA is available to provide independent expert comment to the media on a range of actuarial-related issues, including enterprise risk management, finance and investment, general insurance, health and care, life assurance, mortality, and pensions.

Contact Details

For all media queries please contact Sonia Sequeira, Media Relations Manager

sonia.sequeira@actuaries.org.uk

+44 (0) 20 7632 2126

For out of hours, the Press Office can be contacted at: press.office@actuaries.org.uk. We aim to respond to all enquiries as quickly as possible.