More deaths were registered in Swindon last year, new figures show.

Data from the Office of National Statistics shows 1,982 total deaths were registered in Swindon in 2022 – up from 1,865 the year before.

In 2019, 1,725 deaths were registered, while this rose to 1,993 in 2020, the highest figure during the pandemic.

Nationally, Covid-19 dropped out of the top five leading causes of death across England and Wales. 

Coronavirus accounted for 12.1 per cent and 11.5 per cent of all registered deaths in 2020 and 2021 respectively, but this dropped to just 3.9 per cent in 2022, making it the sixth-highest cause of death.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease led the way, accounting for 65,967 deaths (11.4 per cent), up from 61,250 (10.4 per cent) in 2021.

Alzheimer’s Research UK described the figures as “a stark reminder of the terrible and far-reaching effects of dementia on our society”.

Samantha Benham-Hermetz, director of policy and public affairs at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Despite [Alzheimer's] devastating impact, and in contrast with other leading causes of death like heart disease or cancer, there are still no treatments available on the NHS that can slow or stop it.

“As the impact of the pandemic recedes, we must learn from the lessons of Covid-19 and speed up progress in finding new ways to treat, diagnose and prevent dementia.”