Coronavirus deaths in the UK rise by 286
The UK’s death toll from coronavirus has risen by 286, it was announced today.
Almost 130 of those deaths occurred in hospital after testing positive for the virus, NHS England said this afternoon. For overall deaths, data from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the toll rose by 286 as of 5pm yesterday.
The government’s total death toll from confirmed cases of coronavirus now stands at 40,883. However according to wider data which factors in deaths from suspected cases, the total toll is likely to be closer to 52,000.
Eighty-seven of the deaths in hospital reported by NHS England were people aged 80 or above, while two deaths were aged between 20 and 39. A further two deaths were between 40 and 59, and the remaining 38 were between 60 and 79.
Nine deaths were recorded in Wales, and seven were recorded in Scotland. Northern Ireland posted its third consecutive day with no new deaths.
Government figures published earlier today showed that as of Sunday, the UK had reported its lowest rise in daily deaths since before lockdown began on 23 March. However due to the delay in reporting deaths over the weekend, Tuesdays usually represent a larger spike in deaths than on Mondays.
A tally of official data by Reuters showed the UK death toll is now nearing 52,000. This is worse than the UK government’s official death toll of 40,597, because it also factors in suspected cases.
The DHSC also said in the 24-hour period up to 9am today, 102,930 tests were carried out or dispatched, with 1,387 positive results.
A total of 5,870,506 tests have now been carried out, and 289,140 cases have been confirmed.
At the virus’ peak, more than 1,000 deaths were being recorded each day.
According to figures published by the Office for National Statistics this morning, there were 57,961 excess deaths in England and Wales between 21 March and 29 May.
Excess deaths is a measure of how many people have died from all causes above a five-year average — this is argued by experts to be the most reliable during a pandemic, as it is internationally comparable.