The figures of those admitted to hospital for coronavirus during the peak of the pandemic were over-reported, it was revealed last night.
- Britons who were suffering from other illnesses were included in data collected to monitor the virus outbreak
- Patients were categorised as Covid-19 admissions if they’d ever tested positive for the virus, SAGE discovered
- 20,000 people a week were reportedly admitted with Covid-19 at peak of crisis, government statistics show
Kamal Sultan and Stephen Matthews – Daily Mail Aug 21, 2020
Britons who were suffering from other illnesses were included in data collected to monitor the virus outbreak, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The Government’s Science Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) found patients were categorised as Covid-19 hospital admissions if they had ever tested positive for the disease.
And they were included in the number of people who were admitted specifically for coronavirus.
Around 20,000 people a week were admitted to hospital with Covid-19 at the peak of the crisis in April, according to government statistics. The correct figure is not yet known.
It comes after a recent review into the way Public Health England (PHE) calculated coronavirus deaths. More than 5,000 people who died from causes unrelated to the virus were initially included in the statistics – a tenth of the overall death toll.
One top expert today said the statistical error was more widespread for hospital admissions than deaths – but told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that it was only a ‘minor inflation’.
The NHS denies the figures were being over-reported nationwide and claimed the miscounting only occurred at one trust.
Around 3,000 people a day were admitted to hospital with Covid-19 at the peak of the crisis in April, according to government statistics. The correct figure is not yet known.
