Trust blames ‘second peak’ as it records 8pc of all covid deaths

East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust had 23 covid deaths in the period 20 to 26 June, the most for any single trust in England and 66 per cent of the deaths reported by the 32 trusts in the South East region. Figures since then show another 11 deaths but may not be as reliable as deaths are sometimes reported several days late.

There were 285 covid-related hospital deaths in England during that period, and 35 in the South East.

The trust reported its first death on 22 March and had high deaths throughout April and into May. But, while most other trusts, have seen a very sharp decline since then. EKHUFT has continued to report deaths almost every day, with seven reported on 23 June. Overall it has had 396 deaths, according to NHS England figures.

Figures shared with HSJ by an anonymous source suggest the trust may have a higher than average proportion of covid cases contracted while in hospital.

These indicate that over the past three weeks, a substantially larger proportion of the patients in hospital at EKHUFT, who have been diagnosed with covid-19, are likely to have caught it as inpatients, compared to the England average. At EKHUFT this has been running at 15-25 per cent of all covid-19 patients (including those diagnosed before they are admitted), compared to around 10-15 per cent nationally. It is possible the figures are skewed by testing practice, such as if more existing inpatients are being tested.

The trust said its own figures showed the proportion of covid cases contracted in hospital was much lower but has not shared these with HSJ.

In a statement the trust said: “East Kent saw a second, late peak of covid cases in comparison with many other areas of the country, with high numbers of covid positive patients in late May, particularly at William Harvey Hospital, Ashford. The population of east Kent is significantly older and with more co-morbidities than the England average, which means it is vulnerable to becoming acutely unwell with covid-19.

“The number of covid positive patients is coming down, with the highest numbers remaining at William Harvey Hospital.”

The trust, which has three main sites, covers a population of around 700,000. The Ashford district – where its major hospital, the William Harvey, is sited – had high numbers of positive covid cases throughout May, peaking at 84 in the week ending 24 May. Since then numbers have declined and in the week to 28 June only 16 were reported.

A new testing centre was set up in the town in response to the outbreak and this week prime minister Boris Johnson referred to Ashford when he was questioned on Times Radio about local flare ups.

But despite speculation about a “local lockdown” in parts of Kent and Medway, HSJ understands this is not likely at the moment. The latest weekly data on cases per 100,000 population show Kent at 13.5 and Medway on 6.1. In contrast in Leicester, where a lockdown was announced on Monday, the rate was 140.2.