Coronavirus: Sharp rise in weekly coronavirus deaths in England and Wales, ONS data shows

Weekly deaths linked to coronavirus have risen to their highest level in England and Wales since the beginning of July, according to the Office for National Statistics. 

A total of 438 deaths were registered in the week ending 9 October with COVID-19 mentioned on the death certificate.

This is up from 321 deaths in the week to 2 October.

Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world

The 117 additional deaths marks a 36% rise in deaths from the previous week.

Of the 438 deaths, the majority occurred in hospitals (342), with 63 taking place in care homes, 28 at home, three in hospices and two elsewhere.

The ONS figures show that, since the week ending 4 September, registered coronavirus deaths have been roughly doubling every fortnight.

The north west of England had 153 deaths involving COVID-19 registered in the week ending October 9 - the highest number for the region since the week ending 12 June, according to the ONS.

There were 60 coronavirus deaths registered in the week to 9 October in the north east of England, which is the highest for the region since the week to 12 June.

Registered deaths involving COVID-19 increased week-on-week in all but two regions of England in the week to 9 October.

The exceptions were eastern England and south east England.

There were 37 deaths with coronavirus on the certificate in Wales, an increase of 12 compared to the week before.

The number of cases has risen as Wales is imposing a "firebreak" lockdown for 17 days from 6pm on Friday.

The measures will take Wales back to the restrictions introduced in March, with most businesses shutting, and people being told to stay at home and work from home where possible.