UK records 210 more coronavirus deaths in sharp fall but new cases remain high

The UK recorded 210 more Covid-19 deaths on Saturday.

This is down from 570 the day before while cases rose 1,968 to 34,693, the government said, citing partial data.

The latest R number is estimated at 1.1 to 1.3, the government said.

The UK has recorded a death toll of 70,405, defined as those dying within 28 days of a positive test.

Under that measure, it has the world's sixth largest toll, after the United States, Brazil, India, Mexico and India.

A broader measure of those dying with Covid-19 on their death certificates puts the United Kingdom's death toll at 79,349.

It comes as a leading medical figure has said that coronavirus has been repeatedly underestimated with action taken too late to save lives and livelihoods.

Andrew Hayward, professor of infectious diseases epidemiology at University College London, and a member of the Government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) advisory committee, said thousands of lives would have been saved if the Government had imposed a two-week “circuit-break” lockdown when advised to by experts in September.

He said such a move would also have caused less damage to the economy than the four-week lockdown outlined by the Government on Saturday.

Prof Hayward was at the meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) on September 21 that recommended a circuit-breaker around half-term.

“I think countries like ours that have failed to control Covid have seen they have the highest death rates and the greatest impact on the economy,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“And, I think we have repeatedly underestimated Covid and done too little too late, really, to control the virus and save both lives and livelihoods.”

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