| Ամփոփում: | <p><strong>Background:</strong></br>
Determination of excess mortality provides a useful measure of demonstrating the true toll of the COVID-19 pandemic by capturing both the direct and indirect causes of death. This study estimates the weekly trend in excess mortality over the first 28 weeks of 2020 in Oxfordshire and its five districts, ascertaining the contribution of COVID-19 to the observed excess mortality. This is further complemented by a review of local hospital utilisation and mortality data to understand the collateral damage of the pandemic.</p>
<p><strong>Methods:</strong></br>
Weekly excess mortality was calculated using death registration data from the Office for National Statistics together with historical death registration data from 2015-2019. Mortality and A&E attendance and admission data for Oxford University Hospitals Trust was used to calculate monthly excess inpatient mortality and A&E attendance trends from January to June 2020.</p>
<p><strong>Results:</strong></br>
In Oxfordshire, 642 excess deaths were registered during weeks 12-23 (the peak pandemic period), with 82% attributed to suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Vale of White Horse experienced the highest excess mortality of all districts. Care homes accounted for the largest proportion (62%) of excess deaths during the peak pandemic period, providing evidence of a neglected social care sector. The trend in weekly COVID-19 deaths were closely related to the peaks in excess mortality seen across all districts. A&E attendance for the peak pandemic months were below five-year averages and there was an increase in hospital excess mortality during the same time period.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong></br>
This study provides early evidence for the impact of COVID-19 on excess mortality at the county and district level in Oxfordshire, identifying the worst hit areas and indicating the disproportionate effect of the pandemic on care homes. Moreover, hospital data contributes towards the growing research on the negative effects of decreased NHS capacity during the pandemic on non-COVID-19 deaths. Further research is required to evaluate the effects on different age groups and enhance understanding of the influence of other demographic factors on excess mortality.</p>
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