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AN EARLIER lockdown could have saved the lives of London bus drivers who died during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to an independent review published today.
London bus drivers aged 20-64 had a mortality rate that was 3.5 times higher than men of the same age in all occupations in England and Wales from March to May, the review by the UCL Institute of Health Equity found.
Institute director Professor Sir Michael Marmot said: “Our review explicitly suggests that lockdown was the main factor that saved bus drivers’ lives.
“If lockdown had occurred earlier, it would likely have saved more lives.
“For those with high blood pressure, exposure to Covid-19 is particularly hazardous — disproportionately affecting drivers of ethnic-minority backgrounds.
“In addition to reducing exposure to the virus, all drivers should therefore be screened for health risk, with those most vulnerable to dying from the virus receiving the most benefit.”
Transport for London commissioned the review after 29 of its bus drivers were reported to have died with Covid-19.
