UK coronavirus live: Covid-19 death toll passes 61,000




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UK deaths involving Covid-19 pass 61,000

The Covid-19 death toll across the UK has passed 61,000.

The total number of deaths registered by the three statistical agencies across England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland now stands at 59,927.

However, more up-to-date UK government figures show that 1,189 deaths have occured within 28 days of a positive test since the figures were registered in each nation: 1,044 in England, 62 in Scotland, 47 in Wales and 36 in Northern Ireland.

This brings the number of deaths across the four nations of the UK to 61,116.

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Covid-19 registered deaths rise by half in a week – ONS

There were 670 Covid-19 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week to 16 October, new data from the ONS revealed.

This is an increase of 53% on the previous week, when 438 deaths were reported, and indicates that the widespread rise in new coronavirus cases seen in recent months is leading to a rise in fatalities.

Deaths involving Covid-19 in hospitals as a proportion of all deaths in hospitals increased from 8.4% in week 41 to 12.0% in week 42.

Covid-19 deaths increased across all English regions but were highest in the north-west, with 229 deaths.

The numbers of deaths from all causes in hospitals remained below the five-year average, but deaths in private homes remained high, with 776 excess deaths. Care homes reported 90 more deaths than the 5-year average.

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Government could fund ‘holiday clubs’ in free school meals climbdown

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Boris Johnson faces Tory demands for exit strategy out of northern lockdown

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