ONS: Health & Service Workers Have Highest Death Rates

Today the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released their new figures regarding COVID-19 related deaths. The report states that 7,961 deaths involving COVID-19 were registered between 9th March and 28th December 2020 in the working age population for England and Wales

It is reported that men working in caring, leisure and other service occupations have the highest mortality rates involving COVID-19, with 66.3 and 64.1 deaths per 100,000 males, respectively.

For women, process, plant and machine operatives and caring, leisure and other service occupations had the highest rates of death involving COVID-19.

Men and women that work in social care settings have significantly higher rates of death involving COVID-19 compared with rates of death involving COVID-19 in the population among those of the same age and sex.

Almost three in four deaths involving COVID-19 in social care occupations were care workers and home carers.

Healthcare Staff At Risk

Men who work in healthcare occupations also have a statistically higher mortality rates involving COVID-19 when compared with the rate of COVID-19 among men of the same age in the population.

For women the death rates for those that work in healthcare occupations was statistically similar to the rate in the population.

Nurses have a significantly higher death rates involving COVID-19 when compared with those of the same age and sex in the population. Nursing auxiliaries and assistants also had elevated rates of death involving the virus.

The ONS state that the results of the analysis do not prove conclusively that the observed rates of death involving COVID-19 are necessarily caused by differences in occupational exposure. In the analysis they adjusted for age, but not for other factors such as ethnic group, place of residence or deprivation.

They go on to say:

“Additionally, the analysis only considers the occupation of the deceased. We have not taken into account the occupations of others in the household, which could increase exposure to members of the same household”.

From these figures it is clear to see that the governments COVID strategy isn’t working. Thousands of people are risking their lives and the lives of family members. This is happening whilst they are caring for others or manufacturing products for the public to use to keep themselves safe.

Unlike the first lockdown, many businesses have been allowed to remain open therefore increasing the risk of spreading the virus.

It is increasingly obvious that the government needs to provide more protective measures for carers and those working in hospitals and essential shops that have remained open.

Whilst the UK has the highest death rate in the world, it isn’t too late for the government to adopt a Zero Covid policy. In doing so, thousands of life’s can be saved. No one should have to put their life’s at risk going to work. Failure to adopt this policy will guarantee the deaths of thousands more people.

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