Following February’s peak, the official figures of deaths due to Covid-19 published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that in Swanage and across Purbeck, the worst was over by March 2021.
Sadly, there was one more death due to Covid-19 registered in Swanage in March 2021, bringing the total for the whole pandemic to date to 31.
In Swanage, there were 15 deaths due to Covid-19 in February 2021, six deaths in November 2020 and nine in January 2021.
These ONS figures are based on a person’s primary residence, so represent where someone has lived and not where they have died.
Wareham, Sandford and Holton Heath
Nearby Wareham, Sandford and Holton Heath area, with a population approximately half that of Swanage, registered no more deaths due to Covid-19 in March 2021, leaving the total number since the start of the pandemic at 11.
Corfe Castle and Langton Matravers
Corfe Castle and Langton Matravers area, which also includes Studland, recorded one death due to Covid-19 in March 2021, bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to six.
Bovington, Wool and Lulworth
Bovington, Wool and Lulworth area also registered one death due to Covid-19 in March 2021, bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to four.
Wareham Hospital
Rollout of the Covid vaccine
The reduction in deaths in Purbeck and across the country, has been partly attributed to the rollout of the Covid vaccine. Residents in Swanage are being offered the jab at the Bournemouth International Centre and alternatively via their doctors surgery at Wareham Hospital.
The Purbeck Primary Care Network (PCN), which is coordinating the vaccination programme for the GPs, says that it is making excellent progress but would like more volunteers to help out with the clinics:
“We are proud to announce that Purbeck PCN is at the forefront in Dorset for vaccinating the highest percentage of our eligible population, with a total of 22,229 Covid vaccines given. As always, thanks to our staff and volunteer workforce for making this happen!
“We are still in need for volunteers for the Covid vaccination clinics, so please consider signing up to take part. Big thanks to our existing and previous volunteers – you make all the difference!”
Vaccination clinic at Wareham Hospital
Further information
- To sign up as a volunteer to help with marshalling at the Wareham Hospital clinics go online to book a slot
- The ONS figures for deaths due to Covid-19 for all towns and villages in England and Wales are available in the March 2021 spreadsheet under table 6 on the ONS website
- The map showing the latest number of Covid cases for the UK is available on the government’s interactive map
