THE UK’s true coronavirus death toll could be HIGHER than the official figure of 1,408 – with the real figure to be revealed today.
Health authorities reported an increase of 180 more fatalities yesterday with more than 22,000 infections across the UK.
But the Office for National Statistics is expected to release data for England and Wales today that will reveal more detailed coronavirus figures, including those who have died outside of hospitals will be released for the first time.
Currently, death toll is based on fatalities reported by NHS trusts.
The ONS statistics, which are released weekly, are expected show any death “where Covid-19 is mentioned anywhere on the death certificate”.
It comes after Monday’s figure marks the first time the daily increase in deaths has fallen for two consecutive days and has dropped from 260 on Saturday, the worst day in the crisis so far.
At least four of those who died had no pre-existing medical conditions, the Department of Health said.
England has now seen 1284 deaths from the coronavirus, Wales 62, Scotland 41 and Northern Ireland 21.
New figures also show here has been almost a 50 per cent rise in just a few days in the number of people being treated for coronavirus in England’s hospitals, according to new figures.
Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said on Friday that more than 6,200 patients were in hospital with Covid-19.
But on Monday, he said this figure had jumped to more than 9,000.
Resources are set to be stretched over the coming weeks as death and sickness tolls peak, while NHS workers are also at risk of contracting the bug.
More than 20,000 former NHS staff have already returned to front-line roles to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Among those killed by the bug was Jayne Lowry, an animal care assistant for the RSPCA who died four days after her 26th birthday.
The tragedy came a week after Chloe Middleton, 21, from High Wycombe, Bucks, became the the UK’s youngest coronavirus victim with no existing medical issues.
Meanwhile a woman whose parents died at the weekend after getting Covid-19 says people must respect the lockdown.
Christopher Vallely, 79, and his wife Isobel, 77, died within 12 hours of each other.
