UK coronavirus death toll nears 50,000 but number of Covid-19 fatalities continue to fall, ONS figures suggest

The UK coronavirus death toll is nearing 50,000, although the number of virus-linked fatalities is continuing to fall, new analysis suggests.

According to the Office for National Statistics, death registrations in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland show 48,896 deaths in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, including suspected cases.

A further 819 hospital patients in England who had tested positive for Covid-19 died between May 23 and 31, according to figures published on Monday by NHS England, indicating the overall death toll for the UK is now just over 49,700.

The figures also show there have been almost 62,000 deaths above what would normally be expected in the UK during the coronavirus outbreak.

There were 56,308 excess deaths in England and Wales between March 21 and May 22, compared with the average number of deaths for that period over five years, the ONS said.

It follows figures last week showing the equivalent numbers for Scotland and Northern Ireland, which, when added together, take the total number of excess deaths in the UK across this period to 61,795.

In England and Wales, Covid-19 was responsible for 77 per cent of these excess deaths. All figures are based on death registrations.

Tuesday's figures also show the number of weekly deaths involving coronavirus in England and Wales fell by almost a third in a week and reached its lowest level for seven weeks.

There were 2,589 deaths involving coronavirus in England and Wales registered in the week ending May 22, the ONS said. This is down 32 per cent from the previous seven days, with 3,810 deaths involving coronavirus registered in the week ending May 15.

The ONS said there were 12,288 deaths registered in England and Wales – a drop of 2,285 from the previous week but still 2,348 more than the five-year average.

There were 1,289 excess deaths in care homes during the seven days, compared with the five-year average, and 24 fewer deaths in hospitals.

Of all deaths registered by May 22, 43,837 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate – 15.3 per cent of all deaths.

Detailed analysis on non-Covid-19 deaths will be published by the ONS on Friday.

The proportion of deaths in care homes involving coronavirus fell to below a third in the week ending May 22.

Some 32.5 per cent of all deaths in care homes involved Covid-19 during the seven days, compared with 37.2 per cent the week before.

Out of all deaths involving Covid-19 in England and Wales registered up to May 22, 64 per cent (28,159 deaths) occurred in hospital, the ONS said.

A further 29 per cent (12,739 deaths) took place in care homes, with 5 per cent (1,991) in private homes, 1 per cent (582) in hospices, 0.4 per cent (197) in other communal establishments, and 0.4 per cent (169) elsewhere.

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