The leading cause of death for the month of September in Scotland was ischaemic heart disease, which accounted for 10% of all deaths.

Public Health Scotland reports on 9th Nov 2023 that since 4 September 2023 (the current Winter 2023 vaccination programme) 1,134,892 Influenza (Adult 18+), 281,948 Influenza (Children 6 months to 17 years) and 919,128 COVID-19 vaccines were administered in Scotland.

There has been a slight increase in acute COVID-19 admissions to hospital to 215 from 195 the previous week. However, the seven day average number of inpatients with COVID-19 in hospital has decreased to 397 from 409 the previous week.

The monitoring of Scotland’s waste water continues to show positive results for traces of non-infective Covid-19 ribonucleic acid (RNA).

The last published results for the area served by Kirkwall waste water system (1st Nov 2023) shows an increase. This is important work which gives some indication of the continued presence of the Covid virus within our communities.

National Records of Scotland has published the provisional total number of deaths registered in Scotland in week 44 of 2023 (30th October to 5th November). The deaths registered were 1,185 (20 or 2% higher than the 5-year average). There were 32 deaths mentioning COVID-19.

Those figures in more detail:

Deaths involving Covid

• Age 65 – 74: 6 deaths, 4 female, 2 male
• Age 75 – 84: 13 deaths, 10 female, 3 male
• Age 85+ : 13 deaths, 6 female, 7 male

Five deaths occurred in Care Homes, 2 at Home/Non-Institutional Setting, and 25 in Hospital.

Of the 32 deaths involving Covid, Covid was the main cause in 24 of them.

There were 1,185 deaths due to all causes. An excess of 20 deaths taken over a 5 year average. There were excess deaths in dementia/Alzheimer’s +3; respiratory +27; and other causes +40

The mortality rate for September 2023 (the latest published figures) was 6% lower than average for this time of year according to new figures from National Records of Scotland.

The NRS monthly mortality report shows there were 4,692 deaths in Scotland in September, a decrease of 1% on the five year average for this month. This measure does not take into account the growing population and changes to the age structure. 

Vital Events Statistician with NRS, Daniel Burns, said: 

“The mortality rate in September was 6% lower than the five year average for this month, which is considered a statistically significant difference. Age-standardised mortality rates are a better measure for comparing changes over time as they take into account changes in the population which is growing and also becoming older over time with fewer children and more people in older age groups.”

The data shows that ischaemic heart disease was the most common cause of death in September, accounting for 10% of all deaths. It was the most common cause of death for men, although for women the most common cause was Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.

Fiona Grahame