People in poorer areas are twice as likely to die from the virus as those in affluent parts of the country, experts have said. Nick Stripe, head of health analysis at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said: “People living in more deprived areas have experienced Covid-19 mortality rates more than double those living in less deprived areas. "General mortality rates are normally higher in more deprived areas, but so far Covid-19 appears to be taking them higher still.”Figures showed the number of deaths in deprived areas is 55.1 per 100,000 in England, compared to 25.3 in more affluent areas. Also in the 10 areas with the highest number of infections per 100,000 people are Sandwell, Knowsley, Blackpool and Sunderland. "This could reflect that individuals in more deprived areas are more exposed or vulnerable to the virus," said Dr Cristina Menni, lead researcher from King's College London.

Source: Daily Mirror May 01, 2020 12:32 UTC