Weekly Covid deaths at highest rate since early June, new statistics show
Total of 978 registered deaths mentioned Covid-19 on death certificate in week ending 23 October, according to Office for National Statistics
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The number of weekly coronavirus deaths in England and Wales has risen to its highest figure since early June, new statistics show.
In the week ending 23 October, a total of 978 registered deaths mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics.
This marks a 46 per cent increase on the number of deaths reported in the previous week, and is the highest figure on record since 12 June.
Of the 978 deaths that involved Covid-19, 874 had this recorded as the underlying cause of death (89.4 per cent), the ONS said.
Between 16 and 23 October, the number of deaths involving Covid-19 in hospitals increased by 242. For care homes, this figure rose by 47.
The number of weekly deaths in hospitals is now above the five-year average - the first time this has happened since mid-May.
In England, the total number of deaths increased from 9,833 for the previous week to 10,070 in the week ending 23 October.
The ONS said the southwest was the only English region to have fewer overall deaths compared with the five-year average.
However, the number of deaths involving Covid-19 increased in all English regions, with the northwest recording the largest rise (325 deaths).
In Wales, the number of deaths involving Covid-19 increased from 47 in the week ending 16 October, to 65 in the week ending 23 October, while the total number of deaths for the week was 33 higher than the five-year average.
Just under 63,000 deaths involving Covid-19 have now occurred in the UK.
A total of 61,257 deaths have so far been registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, according to the latest reports from the UK's statistics agencies.
This includes 55,796 deaths in England and Wales up to 23 October (and registered up to 31 October), which were confirmed by the ONS on Tuesday.
Since these statistics were compiled, a further 1,428 deaths are known to have occurred in England, plus 67 in Scotland, 90 in Wales and 80 in Northern Ireland, according to additional data published on the government's coronavirus dashboard.
Together, these totals mean that so far 62,922 deaths involving Covid-19 have taken place in the UK.
Additional reporting by PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments