Covid-19: ‘Latest ONS figures show signs for cautious welcome’
Commenting on the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), published today, which show the Covid-19 related deaths up to May 8 (but registered up to May 16), the Shadow Health Minister – Angela Burns MS – said:
“On the face of it, there might be some justification to welcome – very cautiously – these figures as they suggest that the trend of Coronavirus-related deaths is slowing. That, of course, does not detract from the very real human tragedy of each of the 1,852 deaths recorded.
“However, weeks into this pandemic, we still see that Public Health Wales (PHW) and ONS figures diverge widely. For example, PHW’s most recent figures – which were published yesterday – show 1,207 deaths.
“Data collection and reporting are key elements in the struggle against the pandemic. Different figures by different public bodies cause confusion for the public, and if policy is based on these statistics, then it leaves the potential for incorrect approaches being taken.
“Something needs to cut through here, and that means that reporting must properly managed by key Welsh public sector bodies.”
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