THE neighbourhoods which saw the biggest rise in their death tolls during the pandemic have been revealed – as well as those which seemingly escaped without major impact.

Data published by the Office for National Statistics comparing the number of deaths registered during the pandemic to a baseline from previous years shows some areas of the country were significantly more affected than others.

The Health Foundation said the virus has “laid bare” inequalities across England and Wales, with poor health, deprivation and stretched public services to blame for increased exposure.

In the 14 months to the end of April, there were a total of 915 deaths registered in Maldon, 117 more than predicted, according to the ONS figures.

Of the deaths, 139 listed Covid-19 as the main cause - however, many Covid-related deaths at the start of the pandemic may have been undiagnosed, the ONS cautioned.

A further breakdown revealed for the first time which neighbourhoods had the highest and lowest excess death rates through the pandemic. 

The measurement compares the number of deaths registered during the period with how many were predicted based on previous mortality rates between 2014 and 2019.

In Maldon, the neighbourhoods with the highest excess death rates were:

  • Tollesbury, Tolleshunt and Goldhanger – 88 deaths, 20 (29.4 per cent) more deaths than expected, and including six with Covid-19 listed as the main cause
  • Heybridge – 134 deaths, 25 (22.9 per cent) more deaths than expected, including 33 due to Covid-19
  • Great Totham, Wickham Bishops and Woodham – 106 deaths, 15 (16.5 per cent) more deaths than expected , including nine due to Covid-19

The neighbourhoods with the lowest excess death rates were:

  • Mayland, Althorne and Cold Norton – 107 deaths, three (2.9 per cent) more than expected, and including 18 with Covid-19 listed as the main cause
  • Burnham-on-Crouch – 103 deaths, four (4 per cent) more than expected, including 14 due to Covid-19
  • Maldon South – 102 deaths, 13 (14.6 per cent) more than expected, including 11 due to Covid-19

The highest number of deaths in Maldon came in January this year when there were 50.

Across England and Wales, the ONS reported two periods over the 14 months – March 2020 to July 2020 and September 2020 to March this year – saw the highest rates for excess deaths.

Read more: Hundreds fewer people "pinged" to self-isolate by Covid app in Maldon

In its Covid-19 Impact Inquiry report, the Health Foundation said people aged under 65 living in the most deprived areas were almost four times more likely to die from the virus, compared to those in the most affluent.