SCOTLAND has recorded the second-highest number of winter deaths in 30 years with the spike largely due to coronavirus, official figures show.
The number of deaths was 10% higher than the average of the previous five winters, according to the National Records of Scotland (NRS).
There were 23,370 deaths registered during the four months of winter 2020-21 — a total of 4330 higher than the average before and after that period.
Covid-19 was recorded as the cause of 2850 of the additional deaths, accounting for almost two-thirds of cases (65.8%).
WATCH: Tory minister refuses to apologise to Covid victims ELEVEN times
The other causes of death with the largest seasonal increases last winter were dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and coronary (ischaemic) heart disease – both with 210 additional deaths each.
Very few deaths were directly due to cold weather such as hypothermia, the NRS said, while mental, behavioural or nervous system conditions resulted in 70 additional deaths, and cancer accounted for 60. Accidental falls was recorded as the underlying cause of 50 additional deaths.
The seasonal increase in mortality of 4330 for winter 2020-21 was the second-highest in more than 20 years.
Only winter 2017-18 had a larger seasonal increase (4810) since the turn of the millennium.
READ MORE: Kirsty Strickland: Tories are blaming ordinary folk for a crisis of their making
Last winter, of those aged 85 and older there were 13 additional deaths per 1000 people, compared with fewer than one death per 1000 amongst those aged under 65.
Pete Whitehouse, director of statistical services at the NRS, said: “These figures show again the significant impact Covid-19 had on Scotland last winter.
“Compared to the average of the previous five winters, the winter of 2020/21 saw a 10% higher level of mortality, with the majority of additional deaths being due to Covid-19.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here