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Changes to when we publish influenza and RSV data

We are changing how often we publish our influenza and RSV data. From 29 May, we will update metrics for both influenza and RSV every 2 weeks instead of weekly. We will resume weekly updates in October this year.

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COVID-19 deaths 7-day average

Last updated on Tuesday, 14 January 2025 at 10:52am

Summary

Topic
COVID-19
Category
deaths
API name
COVID-19_deaths_ONSRollingMean

Status

Not active

Rationale

COVID-19 deaths depend on the scale and severity of recent COVID-19 cases.

Definition

This metric shows the average number of deaths in the 7 day period ending on the dates shown of people whose death certificate mentioned COVID-19 as one of the causes. Deaths are reported by date of death registration.

Methodology

Deaths where COVID-19 is mentioned as one of the causes on the death certificate are reported by the Office for National Statistics.

The deceased may or may not have had a confirmed positive test for COVID-19. People who had COVID-19 but did not have it mentioned on their death certificate as a cause of death are excluded.

Deaths are allocated to the deceased's usual area of residence.

Bank holidays can affect the number of deaths registered in a given week.

The value shown on a given date is the total of the deaths registered in the 7 days up to and including that date divided by 7.

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