Covid-19-related deaths in England and Wales have risen sharply since the first wave of the disease amid government warnings that the UK virus strain may be more deadly than previously thought.
The death toll from the disease rose nearly 20 percent to 7,245 in the week ending Jan. 15, the National Statistics Office, the third-highest pandemic, said on Tuesday. Fatality figures in London, which is at the heart of the current outbreak, are surpassing 84% above the five-year average for the second week in a row.
Number of victims
Coronavirus deaths in England and Wales rose 20% last week
Source: Office of National Statistics
The UK death toll from Covid-19 is surpassing 100,000 this week and hospitals are close to capacity. Daily infections have begun to decline with the nation in a severe blockade, while rapid vaccine implantation provides some hope that the peak passes.
- The total death toll in England and Wales was 30.5% above the five-year average.
- Deaths from the virus accounted for 40.2% of all deaths in England and Wales during the week, the highest proportion recorded
- Almost 90% of all Covid-related deaths report it as an underlying cause, compared with 7.2% of people who report flu and pneumonia.