Coronavirus (COVID-19) roundup: 23 March 2021

ONS published the latest figures on weekly deaths in England and Wales, and labour market overview estimates for February 2021. The main points include: 

• There were 1,501 deaths involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) in England and Wales in the week ending 12 March 2021 – the fewest since the week ending 30 October 2020

• The number of deaths from all causes also decreased in the most recent week, falling below the average for the corresponding week in 2015 to 2019

• The total number of deaths involving COVID-19 in England and Wales has passed 135,000 

• Early estimates for February 2021 indicate that there were 28.3 million payrolled employees in the UK

• This is a small increase in the latest three months, but since February 2020, the number of payrolled employees has fallen by 693,000 with the largest falls seen at the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

• Analysis by age band shows that under 25s contributed over 60% of the fall seen since February 2020.

Read the ONS roundup