Frontline staff like care workers and bus drivers see higher COVID-19 death rates

The number of people working in frontline jobs - such as bus drivers, taxi drivers and care workers - who have passed away because of the coronavirus, is significantly higher than the rest of the working population according to official figures published today.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed in total 7,961 deaths involving coronavirus were registered in England and Wales in the working age population (those aged 20-64 years). This includes care workers, taxi drivers and chefs who have worked during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 469 COVID-19 deaths among social care staff were registered between 9 March and 28 December 2020, the ONS has reported.

Within this group, care workers and home care workers accounted for 74 per cent (347) of the deaths. This breaks down to 107 deaths amongst men and 240 deaths amongst females working in caring roles.

There were 209 deaths among taxi drivers and chauffeurs, 83 deaths among bus drivers and 82 chefs also died during this period.

Ben Humberstone, head of health analysis and life events at ONS said: “Today’s analysis shows that jobs with regular exposure to COVID-19 and those working in close proximity to others continue to have higher COVID-19 death rates when compared with the rest of the working age population."

The ONS analysis only considers the occupation of the deceased. It does not take into account the occupations of others in the deceased person's household, which could increase exposure to members of the same household.

Mr Humberstone added: "As the pandemic has progressed, we have learnt more about the disease and the communities it impacts most.

“There are a complex combination of factors that influence the risk of death; from your age and your ethnicity, where you live and who you live with, to pre-existing health conditions.

“Our findings do not prove that the rates of death involving COVID-19 are caused by differences in occupational exposure.”