THE Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole neighbourhoods as well as those from the wider Dorset area, which saw the biggest rise in their death tolls during the coronavirus pandemic have been revealed, along with those which seemingly escaped without major impact.

Data published by the Office for National Statistics comparing the number of deaths registered during the pandemic to a baseline from previous years shows some areas of the country were significantly more affected than others.

In the 14 months to the end of April, there were 5,848 deaths registered in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole – 752 (14.8%) more than the 5,096 predicted, according to the ONS figures.

Of the deaths, 870 had Covid-19 listed as the main cause – however, many Covid-related deaths at the start of the pandemic may have been undiagnosed, the ONS cautioned.

A further breakdown for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area, revealed which of the area's 48 neighbourhoods had the highest and lowest excess death rates during the pandemic.

The measurement compares the number of deaths registered during the period with how many were predicted based on previous mortality rates between 2014 and 2019. It has been described as the key metric for the impact of the pandemic by Professor Chris Whitty, the Government's chief medical officer.

In Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the neighbourhoods with the highest excess death rates were: Iford at 70.6% with 36 more deaths than expected (including nine with Covid-19 listed as the main cause), West Howe at 50.6% with 39 more deaths than expected (including 16 due to Covid-19) and Penn Hill at 50.5% with 46 more deaths than expected (including 27 due to Covid-19).

The neighbourhoods with the lowest excess death rates were: Branksome East at 22.4% with 17 fewer deaths than expected (including 10 with Covid-19 listed as the main cause), Moordown at 11.9% with eight fewer deaths than expected (including five due to Covid-19) and Central Bournemouth at 6.1% with eight fewer deaths than expected (including 19 due to Covid-19).

The highest number of excess deaths in the area, came in April last year when there were 219.

In the wider Dorset area during the 14 months to the end of April, there were 5,910 deaths registered– 548 (10.2%) more than the 5,362 predicted, according to the ONS figures.

Of the deaths, 540 had Covid-19 listed as the main cause – however, many Covid-related deaths at the start of the pandemic may have been undiagnosed, the ONS cautioned.

A further breakdown for Dorset, also revealed which of the area's 47 neighbourhoods had the highest and lowest excess death rates during the pandemic.

In Dorset, the neighbourhoods with the highest excess death rates were: Swanage at 25.4% with 46 more deaths than expected (including 31 with Covid-19 listed as the main cause), Parley and Hampreston at 22.2% with 38 more deaths than expected (including 25 due to Covid-19) and Ferndown West and Canford Bottom at 22.2% with 22 more deaths than expected (including 18 due to Covid-19).

The neighbourhoods with the lowest excess death rates were: Bridport South and West Bay at 14.7% with 16 fewer deaths than expected (including five with Covid-19 listed as the main cause), Overmoigne, Broadmayne and Winterbourne at 5.9% with seven fewer deaths than expected (including nine due to Covid-19) and Weymouth Town, Melcombe Regis and Rodwell at 4.1% with seven fewer deaths than expected (including 12 due to Covid-19).

The highest number of excess deaths in the wider Dorset area, came in April last year when there were 208.

Assistant director David Finch said: "There is extensive evidence that poor health and existing inequalities left parts of the country vulnerable to the virus and defined the contours of its devastating impact.

"Deep-rooted issues such as poor health, increased financial insecurity and strained public services left some people more exposed."

The group now wants the Government to address the harm caused by the pandemic and invest more in helping lift people out of poverty.