Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland

Last update: 16 September 2020
Next update: 14 October 2020
Frequency: See Note        

Correction note: A minor error was found in Table 2 within our ‘Data and Charts’ download. Data on deaths by location was incorrect for some weeks and has now been replaced with the correct data. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.

	Report: Week 37 (PDF 742 KB)		Data and Charts (Excel     CSV)
	News Release (16 September 2020)		Open Data
	Infographic  (PDF 132 KB)		Archive
	Related Statistics

Key Findings

• As at 13th September, there have been a total of 4,236 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 37 (7th to 13th September), there were 5 where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, an increase of 3 from the previous week (31st August to 6th September). Since mid-July deaths involving COVID-19 have remained around the same level with some weekly fluctuation. 
• 46% of COVID-19 deaths registered to date related to deaths in care homes.  46% of deaths were in hospitals and 7% of deaths were at home or non-institutional settings.
• After adjusting for age, people in the most deprived areas were 2.1 times more likely to die with COVID than those living in the least deprived areas.
• Of those who died with COVID-19 between March and August, 92% had at least one pre-existing condition.  The most common main pre-existing condition among those who died with COVID-19 was dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (31%), followed by ischaemic heart disease (13%).
• Age-standardised death rates (adjusting for the age-structure of the population) were 43% higher for men than for women (193 vs 136 per 100,000 population for deaths occurring in March - August).  

Change to frequency of this publication

This latest publication by NRS is the 19th weekly analysis of the impact and spread of COVID-19 related deaths across Scotland. This publication was introduced to provide clear and accessible official statistics delivering headline figures and more detailed analyses.

As the number of deaths from all causes have now returned to average levels and the weekly counts of deaths involving COVID-19 are very low, this will be the last weekly release in its current format. Data on deaths from all causes, excess deaths and COVID-19 related deaths will continue to be made available on a weekly basis through the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 dashboard (for deaths data and for excess deaths data) and through UK analysis from the Office for National Statistics. 

Each month (starting from 16th September) NRS will now publish a comprehensive and detailed analysis of mortality, focussing on total deaths from all causes, excess deaths and COVID-19 related deaths.

NRS will consider re-introducing a weekly publication should there be any significant changes in the spread or impact of COVID-19.

Contact Us

Please get in touch if you need any further information, or have any suggestions for improvement.

Statistics Customer Services telephone: (0131) 314 4299
E-mail: statisticscustomerservices@nrscotland.gov.uk

For media enquiries, please contact communications@nrscotland.gov.uk