UK coronavirus deaths increase to highest weekly figure in six weeks, latest ONS statistics show

The number of people dying with coronavirus in the UK has increased to its highest weekly figure in six weeks, new figures revealed today.

The Office for National Statistics said there were 158 Covid-19 deaths in the week to September 18, up 48 on the 110 in the preceding week.

However, this is but a fraction of the 9,495 deaths seen in a week at the peak of the pandemic in mid-April.

In London, there were 13 covid deaths in the most recent week, up from six the previous week. This is the highest number for five weeks but again a fraction of the peak number of 1,818 in the worst week of the first peak.

The figures are the latest evidence of the rise in infections starting to result in deaths.

Today’s figures show that in the most recent week there were 259 deaths - from all causes - more than normal in England and Wales.

In England and Wales, there were 139 Covid deaths - 40 more than the 99 in the previous week. This accounted for 1.5 per cent of all deaths across both countries.

Deaths in hospitals and care homes in England and Wales were lower than average (365 and 68 fewer deaths respectively), while the number of deaths in private homes remained above the five-year average (711 more deaths).

This could be an indicator of how people continue to shun medical treatment due to concerns about contracting covid.

In London, the overall number of all deaths in the most recent week (844) was below the five-year average for the time of year (882).

Across the UK, there were 10,784 deaths from all causes, which was 257 deaths higher than the five-year average.

This story is being updated.

Read more

New 'draconian' rules prompt backlash amid fresh local lockdowns-LIVE