Deaths linked to Covid-19 in England and Wales have increased to the largest since the first wave of the disease amid government warnings that the UK virus strain may be more deadly than previously thought.
The number of deaths from the disease increased by almost 20% to 7,245 in the week ending January 15, the Office of National Statistics said Tuesday, the third highest number of victims of the pandemic. The fatalities in London, which is at the center of the current outbreak, are more than 84% above the five-year average for the second consecutive week, the data show.
Number of dead
Coronavirus deaths in England and Wales increased by 20% in the last week
Source: Office of National Statistics
The death toll from Covid-19 in the UK is about to exceed 100,000 this week and hospitals are almost full. Daily infections have started to subside with the nation in a severe block, while rapid vaccine distribution is providing some hope that the peak is passing.
- The total number of deaths in England and Wales was 30.5% above the five-year average.
- Deaths involving the virus accounted for 40.2% of all deaths in England and Wales in the week – the highest proportion ever recorded
- Almost 90% of all deaths involving Covid register it as the root cause, compared to 7.2% for those who mention flu and pneumonia