To put that in perspective, the highest previous annual increase in deaths over the last five years was 2.8pc between 2017 and 2018 - four times lower than the increase seen last year.
In Suffolk, the number of excess deaths last year was even higher, at 2,134 - 27pc more than the average over the last five years.
“You look at the numbers and it’s important to realise that every one of these people was a person with families,” said Mr Harvey.
Bob Harvey and his wife Ermitas on their wedding day 40 years ago. Picture: Bob Harvey
- Credit: Bob Harvey
“This is the worst thing that could happen to anybody. I just hope what happened across the country last year reminds everyone to treasure each other.”
To put that in perspective, the highest previous annual increase in deaths over the last five years was 2.8pc between 2017 and 2018 - four times lower than the increase seen last year.
In Suffolk, the number of excess deaths last year was even higher, at 2,134 - 27pc more than the average over the last five years.
“You look at the numbers and it’s important to realise that every one of these people was a person with families,” said Mr Harvey.
Bob Harvey and his wife Ermitas on their wedding day 40 years ago. Picture: Bob Harvey
- Credit: Bob Harvey
“This is the worst thing that could happen to anybody. I just hope what happened across the country last year reminds everyone to treasure each other.”