A descriptive review of data by Public Health England has confirmed COVID-19 has replicated existing health inequalities and, in some cases, increased them.

The largest disparity found was by age. 

Among people already diagnosed with COVID-19, people who were 80 or older were 70 times more likely to die than those under 40. 

Risk of dying among those diagnosed with COVID-19 was also higher in males than females, higher in those living in the more deprived areas than those living in the least deprived and higher in those in Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups than in white ethnic groups. 

When compared to previous years, the review also found a particularly high increase in all cause deaths among those born outside the UK and Ireland, those in a range of caring occupations, those who drive passengers in road vehicles for a living, those working as security guards and related occupations and those in care homes. 

It is hoped the results will improve understanding of the pandemic and help in formulating a public response to it.

Read the full report here.