UK coronavirus death toll rises by 351 to 36,393
Number of confirmed coronavirus infections in UK reaches 254,195
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 UK’s coronavirus death toll has increased by 351, according to the latest government figures.
The rise in the 24 hours up to 5pm on Thursday takes the country’s official death toll in hospitals, care homes and the community to 36,393.
A further 3,287 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the UK, bringing the total since the start of the outbreak to 254,195.
Just under 141,000 coronavirus tests were carried out on or distributed to 80,297 people in the 24 hours up to 9am on Friday, according to the Department of Health and Social Care’s daily update.
However, the government’s testing chief admitted on Friday that significant numbers of home-testing kits — counted in the official figures as soon as they are put in the post — were not being used after they were sent out.
The true number of deaths involving coronavirus may be higher than 45,000, according to figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, published on Tuesday, showed 39,071 deaths involving Covid-19 in England and Wales up to 16 May. That number only included deaths up to 8 May.
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency said on Friday that 664 deaths involving the virus had been registered in the country up to 20 May, while National Records of Scotland said 3,546 deaths involving Covid-19 had been registered in Scotland up to 17 May.
Together, these figures mean that there have been 43,281 deaths in UK in which Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. These include suspected cases involving victims who were not tested for the disease.
A further 1,832 hospital patients in England who had tested positive for Covid-19 died between 9 May and 21 May, according to figures published on Friday by NHS England. This indicates the overall death toll for the UK is now at least 45,000.
The ONS said this week that coronavirus infections in England appeared to be “relatively stable”.
An estimated 0.25 per cent of the population — equivalent to 137,000 — had Covid-19 between 4 May and 17 May at any time between 4 May and 17 May, according to the latest ONS statistical bulletin.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments