UK now has highest coronavirus death toll in Europe

Over 30,000 deaths involving Covid-19 have occurred in the UK since the start of the pandemic, the highest official toll yet reported in Europe. Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed 29,710 deaths linked to coronavirus had taken place in England and Wales.

UK now has highest coronavirus death toll in Europe New figures from Office of National Statistics for England and Wales, alongside Scotland and Northern Ireland, shows death toll of 32,313 Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed 29,710 deaths linked to coronavirus had taken place in England and Wales as of 2 May. Including deaths for Scotland and Northern Ireland, the toll on this measure now amounts to 32,375. According to the ONS report, of the 27,356 deaths registered up to 24 April, 71.8 per cent (19,643 deaths) occurred in hospital. 5,890 deaths took place in care homes, 1,306 in private homes and 301 in hospices. This represents a fall of 12.6 per cent in hospital deaths, but an increase of 2,500 deaths in care home deaths compared to the week before. Deaths involving Covid-19 in England that occurred up to 24 April, but were registered up to 2 May, stood at 28,272, said the report. In comparison, the number of deaths reported by the Department of Health and Social Care was 21,399 and NHS England showed 19,033 hospital deaths.

In light of the new figures, the ONS said that the numbers should be viewed in the context of other countries recording deaths differently. Mr Stripe said on Twitter: "UK death registrations data is the fastest, most frequent and most in depth than any other stats agency. "But death registrations data is what will eventually allow us to compare. [For example], ISTAT (Italian stats agency) yesterday brought out data for deaths in March. It showed 25k excess deaths and almost double those attributed to COVID previously.

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