Rise in London coronavirus deaths despite lowest weekly level in England and Wales since lockdown began

London bucked the trend as the number of coronavirus deaths increased in the capital but fell across most of the rest of England and Wales.

The number of deaths involving Covid-19 increased week-on-week from 35 to 43 in London but fell in England and Wales from 606 to 532 – the lowest total in 15 weeks.

Today’s weekly statistics from the Office for National Statistics show the official number of coronavirus deaths in England and Wales now exceeds 50,000.

Between December 28 and July 3, a total of 50,548 deaths involving Covid have been recorded. The UK total is understood to exceed 55,000 when deaths in Scotland and Northern Ireland and hospital deaths in the last 11 days are added.

The most recent weekly total of 9,140 deaths from all causes is 43 fewer than is normal for this time of year – the third successive week where deaths have been below the average.

The number of coronavirus deaths in England recorded by the ONS to date is 48,154 – 8,528 more than reported by the Department of Health in its daily totals.

This story is being updated.

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