Local authority leaders have called on the Government to do more to understand the effects of long COVID as new figures reveal above average excess deaths.

In England and Wales, the total number of excess deaths, due to all causes, registered between March 2020 and June 2022 was 137,447, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Of these, 87,358 were males and 50,089 were females.

The months with the highest numbers of excess deaths were April 2020 (43,796 excess deaths) and January 2021 (16,546 excess deaths). These were also the months which had the highest number of deaths due to COVID-19.

For deaths where the underlying cause of death was not coronavirus, excess deaths were 7,360 below the five-year average.

The leading causes of death with the highest numbers of excess deaths in England and Wales were symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions, which is often linked to old age and frailty.

Responding to the latest ONS figures on excess deaths, defined as the number of deaths above or below the five-year average, Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Community Wellbeing Board, said: ‘These figures act as a truly tragic reminder of how many people, including those who are older and vulnerable, have lost their lives during the pandemic, leaving behind family and friends in mourning.

‘Although the highest numbers of excess deaths were recorded at the peaks of the pandemic, this data reveals that non-COVID related deaths remain above the five-year average across eight age groups.

‘As well as an increase number of excess deaths, it is clear that millions of people are still suffering from the impact of COVID-19. The Government needs to undertake further work to understand the consequences of long COVID and support those in our communities living with the effects of it.’