New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed the number of people dying in their homes has risen dramatically over the last 18 months.

At least 70,602 excess deaths in homes were registered between 7 March, 2020 and 17 September, 2021 across England and Wales.

However, only 8,423 (12%) of these deaths involved COVID-19, according to PA news agency analysis of data from the ONS.

The number of excess deaths during this period was compared to the corresponding period in the non-pandemic years of 2015-19.

Meanwhile, more than 8,200 excess deaths in private homes were registered in England and Wales since the start of July alone.

This was compared with around 2,300 excess deaths in hospitals and nearly 1,000 in care homes over the same period.

The ONS also published analysis earlier this year that found the majority of deaths from COVID-19 in 2020 took place in hospitals and care homes.

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But many deaths from other causes, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer, occurred in private homes.

Deaths from diabetes in private homes were also 60% higher in 2020 compared with the average for 2015-19, while people who died from chronic rheumatic heart disease and Parkinson’s disease were both up 66%.

And, for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, deaths were up by 65% in private homes, while there were also increases of 44% and 37% for prostate cancer and breast cancer deaths.

Separate ONS figures published today showed that a total of 11,009 deaths in all settings were registered in England and Wales in the week to September 17.

This was 1,703 deaths above the five-year average. However, deaths from COVID-19 made up only half (851) of these excess deaths.

It is also the eleventh week in a row that deaths have been above the pre-pandemic average.

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