Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland

Last update: 20 May 2020
Next update: 27 May 2020 
Frequency: Weekly           

	Report: Week 20 (PDF 1 MB)		Data and Charts (Excel     CSV)
	News Release (20 May 2020)		Open Data
	Infographic  (PDF 167 KB)		Archive
	Related Statistics

Key Findings

• As at 17 May, there have been a total of 3,546 deaths registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate. The first mention of COVID-19 in a registered death certificate was the week beginning 16th March 2020.
• Of the total number of deaths registered in week 20 (11 to 17 May), there were 332 where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, a decrease of 83 from the previous week (4th to 10th May). This is the third weekly reduction in a row.
• Deaths involving COVID-19 as a proportion of all deaths has changed from:
  • 16% in week 14;
  • 31% in week 15;
  • 34% in week 16;
  • 36% in week 17;
  • 31% in week 18;
  • 29% in week 19; to
  • 23% in week 20
• 46% of COVID-19 deaths registered to date related to deaths in care homes. 47% of deaths were in hospitals and 7% of deaths were at home or noninstitutional settings.
• The proportion of COVID-19 deaths which took place in care homes has risen over time but has dropped back in recent weeks and now represents 55% of all COVID-19 deaths in week 20. The number of deaths in care homes fell for a third week, by 54 to 184.
• Three quarters (76%) of all deaths involving COVID-19 to date were of people aged 75 or over.
• This number is different from the count of deaths published daily on the gov.scot website, because the latter is based on deaths of those who have tested positive for COVID-19. The NRS figures published here include all deaths where COVID-19 (included suspected cases) was mentioned on the death certificate.

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