NEW figures reveal which parts of Halesowen and surrounding areas have been hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Geographically detailed statistics published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reveal how many coronavirus related deaths have occurred in different parts of the Dudley and Sandwell boroughs.

The figures refer to deaths relating to people living in the area and where coronavirus was mentioned as a cause on the death certificate.

Hayley Green suffered the biggest number of deaths related to the virus, with 13 deaths related to the COVID-19 recorded between March and May. This accounted for around one third (33 per cent) of all deaths in the area over the three-month period.

Blackheath, Brandhall, and Halesowen East all recorded coronavirus related deaths reaching double figures.

11 deaths linked to the virus were recorded in both Blackheath and Brandhall, which made up 36 per cent and 35 per cent of all deaths over the period in those areas respectively.

Nine virus-related deaths were recorded in Halesowen Town, which made up 30 per cent of all deaths. Oldbury and Rood End also suffered nine deaths, which accounted for 37 per cent of all deaths between March and May.

A quarter of all deaths in Quinton West were related to Covid-19 where eight deaths were recorded. Just under one quarter (23 per cent) of all deaths were linked to the virus in Old Hill, which saw seven deaths.

Rowley West, Cradley East and Hawne all suffered six virus-linked deaths.

Over half all deaths in Rowley West (54.5 per cent) were related to COVID-19, along with 28 per cent in Cradley East and 22 per cent in Hawne.

Just over one fifth (22 per cent) of all deaths in Rowley East were connected to coronavirus, where five deaths were registered.

Four deaths were registered in Cradley Heath, which was 14% of all deaths, and 15 per cent of deaths in Shell Corner and Hurst Green were virus related, where three deaths were registered.

Cradley West and Hayes Lane recorded the fewest coronavirus deaths during the three months, where two deaths linked to the virus.

Councillor Nic Barlow, Dudley Council's cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: “I've no doubt there are a number of factors to consider when looking at these numbers, including age, ethnicity, concentration of care homes in a particular area, size of establishments, number of discharges from hospital to a home, and underlying long-term health conditions of the individual."

He said access to timely and reliable data was "critical to understanding the situation and making decisions" and he added: "Our public health intelligence analysts have played a pivotal role in ensuring we have the right data at the right time both to react promptly to new challenges and to plan sensibly and proactively.

"The Public Health Division at Dudley Council has worked extensively to provide leadership, training and support within the council and externally, including care providers, schools, and our NHS partners. Huge amounts of guidance have been generated and an incredible amount of PPE has been issued.

"Public Health formed a team of redeployed staff to contact residents in the community who, due to serious underlying health conditions, were advised to stay at home during the pandemic and avoid any face-to-face contact.

"Proactive screening of care homes in the borough has been a priority. Testing of NHS, council and care home staff for COVID-19 became available in May and with the support of intu Merry Hill we have been co-ordinating the deployment of an Army Mobile Testing Unit to test key workers including council staff at The Waterfront.

"It has been a cross-council approach dealing with COVID-19. I am incredibly proud of my Public Health and adult social care teams who are working incredibly hard, seven days a week, round the clock, managing the situation."