Excess deaths in February at lowest level for a year
The number of deaths in February was similar to average levels, representing the lowest level of excess deaths for a year, according to new statistics from National Records of Scotland.
There were 4,925 deaths in February 2023, a fall of 27 per cent from the month before.
The number of deaths was one per cent below the five year average, the first time deaths have been below average since February 2022.
The leading causes of death in February were dementia and Alzheimer’s for females (17 per cent of all deaths) and ischaemic heart disease for males (15 per cent).
Death rates in the most deprived areas were 1.7 times those in the least deprived areas.
Respiratory deaths such as influenza and pneumonia or chronic lower respiratory diseases are close to average levels again, after the first major increase since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
There were 537 deaths in this category in February, six per cent below the five year average.
In January such deaths were 36 per cent above the average.
Covid-19 is deaths are not included in this category.
NRS' vital events statistician Julie Ramsay said: “The usual winter peak in deaths from respiratory causes was absent in 2020 and 2021.
"This winter the peak was back with the highest level of deaths from respiratory illnesses since early 2018.”
Also released today were the weekly figures for deaths including those involving Covid-19.
There were 1,284 deaths registered last week (6th to 12th March 2023), which is 55 or four per cent above average.
There were 62 deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned, which is 22 more than last week.
