Deaths from Covid versus deaths with Covid

Summary

A request was made to Manx Care for detailed statistics on Covid-19 deaths, including causes and underlying conditions, but the authority refused to fulfill it because the data would require creation or derivation rather than retrieval of existing records.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 2021-09-10 and the response was issued on 2021-10-07.
• Manx Care determined that complying would require creating or deriving information, which is not required under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The authority cited Section 8(3) and Section 11(3)(b) of the Act as the legal basis for not fulfilling the request.
• Requesters were directed to a separate FOI release (1919133) by the Cabinet Office regarding Death Certifications.
• The request covered six specific data points regarding deaths within 28 days of a positive test since March 2020.

Data Disclosed

• 2021-09-10
• 2021-10-07
• March 2020
• 28 days
• 1988313
• 1919133

Exemptions Cited

• Section 8(3) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015
• Section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015

Original Request

Please can you confirm the following: 1. What is the total number of deaths on the IOM of persons who have died within 28 days of a Covid-19 test since March 2020 to date? 2. Of that overall total, how many deaths have been from Covid alone? 3. Of that overall total, how many deaths were with Covid (as separate from Covid alone)? 4. Of that overall total, what is the number with underlying health conditions? 5. Of that overall total, what is the number without underlying health conditions? 6. Of that overall total, what is the average age of the deceased persons? Thank you

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Manx Care Noble’s Hospital, Strang Braddan, Isle of Man IM4 4R (01624) 650 000

Our ref: 1988313 7th October 2021

Dear ###

This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

We write further to your request which was received on 10th September 2021 and which states:

"Please can you confirm the following: 1. What is the total number of deaths on the IOM of persons who have died within 28 days of a Covid-19 test since March 2020 to date? 2. Of that overall total, how many deaths have been from Covid alone? 3. Of that overall total, how many deaths were with Covid (as separate from Covid alone)? 4. Of that overall total, what is the number with underlying health conditions? 5. Of that overall total, what is the number without underlying health conditions? 6. Of that overall total, what is the average age of the deceased persons? Thank you"

Our Response Complying with the request for information would require the public authority to do one or more of the matters mentioned in section 8(3) (things a public authority is not required to do by the Act S11(3)(b). While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance, complying with your request for information would require us to create or derive information from information that we hold. However, you may find another FOI released by the Cabinet Office helpful: follow the link gov.im/freedom-of-information/disclosure log and input “Death Certifications” in the keywords tab to locate FOI 1919133. Please quote the reference number 1988313 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date. ###