Middlesbrough on "back foot" in fight with Covid-19
Number of deprived areas to blame says health official
Last updated 26th Apr 2020
A TOP health official has revealed how early data shows around half of people diagnosed with covid-19 in hospital live in “deprived areas”.
Mark Adams, joint director of public health at South Tees, confirmed Middlesbrough’s health troubles had put it on the back foot ahead of the covid-19 outbreak.
And he explained how early observations had picked up patterns.
Mr Adams added: “Initial observations from our local hospital data are showing that about half of the patients diagnosed in hospital live in deprived areas – and about 75% of patients have one or more underlying health conditions.
“However, although the majority of the patients live in Middlesbrough, this data reflects all patients attending hospital – and is not conclusive of the reasons behind the trends that we are observing in Middlesbrough.
“We are, therefore, investigating data from other sources to help us understand better the covid-19 trends that we are observing in Middlesbrough.”
Data from Public Health England data shows Middlesbrough had the highest number of emergency hospital admissions for COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in the North-east in 2018/19.
Men can expect to live “healthy lives” until age 58 in the town, while the North-east average is 63.
PHE figures from 2016 to 2018 also show Middlesbrough has the worst mortality rate for lung cancer in the North-east, the region’s highest rate of deaths from cardiovascular disease among people over 65 and the second worst rate of respiratory disease deaths for OAPs.
In other words, Middlesbrough’s most at risk groups were already facing an uphill struggle before the pandemic came.
Mr Adams said: “Global and national scientific advice based on data trends indicate that people who are at a greater risk from covid-19 are older people, people who already have underlying clinical conditions that make them immune compromised, and people from BAME ethnic groups.
“Middlesbrough has the highest proportions of neighbourhoods among the most deprived quintiles in England.
“Middlesbrough also has a higher proportion of BAME residents than the north east average (11.8% v 6.4%) but lower than England (20.25%).”
The health chief also pointed to figures showing 15.9% of the borough’s residents were aged over 65.
This is lower than the North-east and the rest of the country – which should put it in good stead.
But Middlesbrough ranks third highest for years of life lived with preventable health conditions when compared with all local authorities in England.
Mr Adams added: “The higher proportion of residents with an underlying health condition, could therefore infer that a higher than average proportion of our residents would be vulnerable to covid-19 infection.
“This does not however fully explain the reasons behind the trends in covid-19 cases in the borough – and we are undertaking further interrogation of our local data to ascertain the facts.”
When it came to the relationship between James Cook University Hospital and case numbers, the public health chief believed no “full conclusions” could be drawn.
Mr Adams added: “The national policy direction has been such that most of the testing for covid-19 has been performed in hospital.
“We are not able to fully conclude on the burden of the disease in our population – patients who attend hospital tend to be those who have a more serious disease, however, we are also aware that proximity to a health facility might influence decision to access a facility.
“We do not however have the evidence to prove that the measuring of cases at James Cook has skewed the figures for Middlesbrough.”
As of Friday, Middlesbrough had one of the highest rates of covid-19 in the country – ranking ninth.
The public health team in Middlesbrough is on the front line of the crisis.
Mr Adams confirmed his team was “busy2 – like all other council departments, but was “very well supported” to fulfil its role.
And he rounded off by striking a familiar tone.
He added: “We ask that all our residents should endeavour to follow the advice and guidance provided by Public Health England to stay at home, wash hands frequently, and observe social distancing practices to help contain and reduce the spread of infection.
“We continue to work with all partners in the response to the pandemic and any advice that we give will be governed by the science and what the data is telling us.”
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