Comment on data from NRS of increased COVID19 related deaths among people from the South Asian ethnic group

New analysis from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) today of deaths registered up to 14 June shows that deaths among people from the South Asian ethnic group were almost twice as likely to involve COVID-19 than deaths in the White ethnic group. This is after accounting for age group, sex, area deprivation and urban/rural classification.

Dr Andrew Fraser, Senior Advisor at Public Health Scotland said:

"Each and every death from COVID19 is a tragedy; responding to the virus and doing all we can to protect the nation’s health remains our priority. Understanding any inequity in risk of COVID19 is a crucial part of this. The analysis on ethnicity published today helps us do that.

"Public Health Scotland is currently updating analysis of available data on COVID19 and ethnicity, we expect further updates to report this month. We will announce the updates we are considering shortly, and these will be included in routine weekly publications.

"Work to scrutinise, explore, explain and report data on ethnicity and COVID19 will help Government, the NHS and everyone involved in tackling COVID19 to anticipate health care needs in the future and continue to protect the health of all of the people in Scotland."