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 15 of 2020 (4 April to 10 April) based on provisional England & Wales deaths data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 21 April 2020.

The key points of this update are:

There were 77% more deaths registered in week 15 of 2020 than if death rates had been the same as week 15 of 2019. The difference was 59% in week 14.

These ‘excess’ deaths in week 15 were 30% higher than the number of deaths registered and mentioning COVID-19 on the death certificate.

There may have been around 30,000 more deaths in the UK for the year to 20 April 2020 than if mortality rates were similar to those experienced in 2019.

Cobus Daneel, Chair of the CMI Mortality Projections Committee said:

“Our analysis looks at the increase in deaths from 2019 to 2020 as a way to measure the effect of the coronavirus pandemic. The increase in deaths is much higher than what is shown by the commonly-quoted figures for deaths in hospitals. This shows not just the terrible impact of the pandemic in overall terms, but also the large number of deaths occurring outside hospitals – for instance, in care homes.”

All mortality monitor weekly updates are publicly available here.

~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.