BROMSGROVE has the highest number of Coronavirus deaths in the whole of Worcestershire, figures from the Office of National Statistics have revealed.
From March 23, when the lockdown began, to May 1, 86 people died in the district.
Wychavon, which covers Droitwich, was second with 79 and Worcester city next with 43.
Of the Bromsgrove Covid-19 deaths, 55 were in hospital and 29 were in care homes.
Two were classed as being ‘elsewhere’ by the ONS and another was in a communal setting.
In Wychavon 44 of the deaths were in hospital, 26 in care homes, three at home, two in hospices and the rest recorded as ‘elsewhere’.
The figures come amid fierce criticism of the Government over the time it took to start testing people for the virus, particularly in care homes.
Speaking to the Standard, Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid said: “I am deeply concerned by the deaths from coronavirus in Bromsgrove.
“My heart goes out to the family and friends of those we have lost loved ones.
“Covid-19 is the greatest threat we have faced in my lifetime.
“As we grieve for those who have been taken from us, we also remind ourselves of the sacrifices we must make to protect the most vulnerable in our community.
“I’m confident that we will beat this illness – but until we do, we must continue to follow the rules.
“Stay alert, control the virus. You’ll be saving lives.”
But Dr David Nicholl, who is treating Covid-19 patients on the frontline at a Birmingham hospital, said it was a worrying situation.
“The number of deaths in Bromsgrove is four times the total for New Zealand.
“We haven’t met all of the criteria mapped out by the World Health Organisation to come out of lockdown, such as minimising risk, stopping the importation – our borders are still open – and we haven’t tested anywhere near enough – the Government has not met its 100,000-a-day test and results.
“We are also nowhere near the tracking and tracing element – care homes need more attention – they are a potential reservoir of infection,
“The NHS has done a fantastic job and it’s good the number is flattening but more needs to stop a second peak.”
