Monday 23 May 2022 10:28 PM Winter deaths from Covid 'no worse than flu' trends now
The number of Covid deaths over the winter was similar to those caused by flu in previous years, official figures have revealed.
Deaths caused by the virus rocketed during the first waves of the pandemic before a vaccine was developed and rolled out.
This, along with immunity from natural infection, now means the Covid mortality rate has 'fallen more in line' with that of flu or pneumonia during pre-pandemic years.
In January this year, there were 4,100 deaths caused primarily by a Covid infection in England and Wales, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
That compares with a January average of 4,048 deaths from flu or pneumonia in the four years preceding the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.
The number of Covid deaths over the winter was similar to those caused by flu in previous years, official figures have revealed
The trend is similar for the other winter months of December, February and March, the data shows.
Figures for flu and pneumonia deaths during the pandemic years were significantly lower than average due to reduced socialising and mixing, the experts say.
The findings form part of the first detailed attempt to contrast Covid and flu as causes of death during the pandemic.
Other results reveal flu and pneumonia were
