Ceredigion MP Ben Lake is calling for an investigation into the high number of deaths at the start of 2020 but believes it is “extremely unlikely” that this was due to the unknown presence of coronavirus.

Data released by the Office of National Statistics has shown an increase in deaths in the first few months of 2020, in comparison to prior years.

Ben Lake MP is now urging Hywel Dda Health Board to review all hospital deaths to help understand the increase and to decipher “whether there are any lessons to learn from the previous winter”.

However, Mr Lake thinks it “extremely unlikely” that Covid-19 was present in Ceredigion in December or January.

In a press conference this afternoon (16 July) the Chief Medical Officer for the Welsh Government Dr Frank Atherton also addressed the rise in deaths.

“I’ve heard questions about ‘could there have been coronavirus earlier than Christmas’,” Dr Atherton said.

“I think that’s extremely unlikely, that coronavirus was in Ceredigion before it was in Wuhan.”

But Dr Atherton also said that the figures will be looked at.

The statistics show that in January 2020 there were 106 deaths, in comparison to 80 in 2019, 101 in 2018, 81 in 2017.

In February 2020 there were 82 deaths recorded compared to 58 in 2019, 51 in 2018, and 60 in 2017.

In March 2020 the recorded deaths stood at 82, in comparison to 72 in 2019, 74 in 2018 and 72 in 2017.

But in December of 2019 Ceredigion saw a decrease in deaths with 80, in comparison to 87 in 2018.

In a statement released by Mr Lake he said: “In recent weeks figures have been published detailing that the number of excess deaths in the county during the first few months of the year was higher than usual.

“Understandably, questions have been raised as to the possible reasons for this, and I am glad that it is receiving further attention, in the hope that we understand what happened.

“As we look ahead to the forthcoming winter, it is more important than ever that we make sure that we are prepared for the impact that seasonal pressures might have on our health service, especially if such pressures coincide with another outbreak of Covid-19.

“An important part of the preparation is to consider whether there are lessons to learn from the previous winter, and as such I am reassured that the Health Board reviews all hospital deaths with this in mind.”