Quarter of all deaths in Croydon since start of pandemic due to the coronavirus

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

Nearly one in four deaths in Croydon since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic have been related to the virus.

The borough has recorded more than 1,000 coronavirus deaths since March 2020.

The stark figures are laid out in a new report from Croydon’s director of public health, Rachel Flowers.

She said the pandemic had exposed inequalities in the South London borough.

It saw around five per cent of the population estimated as being unemployed in 2019/20, and a total of 67,200 people were on the Government’s furlough scheme – as well as another 22,100 claiming grants through the self-employed income support scheme.

These financial difficulties had a knock-on effect, with families needing more support, with more than a quarter of children being eligible for free school meals.

Markieu Hayde, head teacher at Norbury High School for Girls, said: “There was a big increase in the number of students who now qualified for free school meals. We reached out to charities to get free laptops.

“There were some parents that were choosing to self-isolate their children due to medical conditions because they couldn’t access the services they needed at the hospital.”

In her report, Ms Flowers warned that the pandemic is still not over and sticking to Covid-19 measures is still needed.

She said: “My report aims to document the challenge that the start of a global pandemic brought, as well as showcasing how communities came together in difficult and fast emerging circumstances.

“The pandemic is not yet over, and it continues to impact our lives. In my report, I make recommendations on the simple, effective things we can all do to help ourselves and others.

“This includes continuing to adhere to Covid-19 measures to regularly wash your hands, wear a face covering, and keep your distance from others.

“It is also important for our health and well-being to practice the five ways to well-being by thinking of how we can connect with others, be more active, take notice of what is around us, keep learning and give generously.”

Pictured top: A woman is vaccinated against Covid-19