Coronavirus death rates ‘could be 80% higher in rural communities’
Worrying stuff for obvious reasons…..
Coronavirus death rates could be between 50 and 80 per cent higher in rural communities, according to scientists.
A study from the University of St Andrews has predicted significantly higher levels of Covid-19 fatalities in rural locations due to larger ageing populations.
The analysis found that death rates could be up to 80 per cent higher if the outbreak reaches people in these more remote areas.
It is feared this could have long-term socio-cultural impacts on certain communities, particularly on areas which are strongholds for minority languages.
Professor Hill Kulu, who co-authored the study with his colleague Peter Dorey, said: “If the pandemic is to last long and the virus is to spread to all areas of the UK, remote small towns and rural communities are projected to have 50 per cent to 80 per cent higher death rates than the main cities because of their old population composition.
“Remote location may offer a protection from Covid-19 to some areas but if the virus is to spread to these communities the effects will be devastating.”