Professor Chris Whitty answering question on coronavirus death statistsics

The transcript discusses how deaths related to COVID-19 are measured in the UK. It explains that there are two main data sources: hospital deaths, which are updated daily and confirmed through testing, and ONS data, which includes all deaths with COVID-19 on the death certificate, regardless of location. The ONS data is typically delayed but includes deaths at home, in care homes, and other locations where COVID-19 is a suspected cause.

What is the main reason for measuring death tolls outside hospitals?

• To prioritize hospital data over other data

• To ignore deaths in care homes

• To focus only on hospital deaths

• To ensure all COVID-19 related deaths are accounted for

What is the primary characteristic of the hospital death data?

• It is based on confirmed COVID-19 cases

• It is updated monthly

• It is delayed by several weeks

• It includes unconfirmed cases

How often is the hospital death data updated?

• Annually

• Weekly

• Daily

• Monthly

What does the ONS data include?

• Deaths with COVID-19 on the death certificate

• Only deaths in care homes

• Only hospital deaths

• Deaths without a COVID-19 diagnosis

Why is the ONS data usually delayed?

• It includes a broader range of deaths

• It requires confirmation from multiple sources

• It is updated in real-time

• It focuses only on hospital data