Covid deaths in the UK jump by 241 on deadliest day since June 5 as 21,331 test positive in second highest cases leap
THE number of UK coronavirus deaths today jumped by 241 on what is the deadliest day since June 5.
The grim spike is almost double the 143 Covid fatalities recorded on the same day a week ago.
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The last time the rise in deaths was so high was on June 5, when 258 fatalities were logged.
Although it is a huge jump from Sunday when fatalities were down to 67, officials warn reported numbers are usually much higher on Tuesdays due to a weekend lag.
It brings the total number of coronavirus deaths in the UK to 43,967.
Another 21,331 infections were also reported – the second highest daily rise ever.
The figure has only been beaten once before on October 4 when 22,961 infections were logged – and even this was down to an IT glitch which caused a delay in reporting.
It means 762,542 have now tested positive for the bug in Britain since the start of the pandemic.
It comes as…
- Ireland put under six-week lockdown with level 5 restrictions stopping anyone travelling over 3 miles from home
- North East leaders will tell Boris to ‘sod off’ if he tries to impose Tier 3 measures after Burnham talks collapse
- Manchester lockdown – Tier 3 to be FORCED on Manchester as Andy Burnham’s ‘pride’ accused of wrecking £60m talks
- Coronavirus deaths make up just 4.4% of all fatalities – as they rise for 5th week in a row
- Andy Burnham warns second national lockdown coming and ‘all of England will be in tier 3 this winter’
Of today's figures, Dr Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director of Public Health England, said: “The trend in deaths is rising sharply.
“The measures across the country are there to reduce transmission of the virus which is why it is essential that we all follow them.
"We know that the easiest and best way to protect each other is to regularly wash our hands, wear a face covering when required and to keep space from each other.”
In England, 134 deaths were confirmed, bringing the total number of Covid fatalities in English hospitals to 31,181.
The patients, who died between 13 and 19 October, were aged between 36 and 100 years old – and all except six had underlying health conditions.
In Scotland, 15 more deaths were confirmed, along with 1,456 new cases.
Wales recorded 10 more fatalities and 1,148 new infections.
Meanwhile two more deaths were recorded in Northern Ireland, where the go ahead for a full national lockdown was signed off today.
The country's strict new measures, which include staying within three miles of one's home, will be in place for six weeks from midnight on Wednesday.
TIERING UP
It comes as leaders across the north of England fear being plunged into further coronavirus restrictions.
Matt Hancock told MPs yesterday that "further discussions are planned with South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, the North East and Teesside.”
Meanwhile, Greater Manchester is poised to be forced into a Tier 3 lockdown today after talks between Downing Street and the region's mayor, Andy Burnham collapsed.
Robert Jenrick earlier slammed the Manchester Mayor for not grappling with the "gravity" of the situation as talks of a shut down between No.10 and local leaders broke down.
Greater Manchester was last night dramatically given a deadline of midday today to agree to a deal or have the restrictions forced upon them by the Government – which has now passed.
The PM held a last-minute phone call with Mr Burnham this lunchtime to try and break the deadlock and seal a deal in order for the city to go into the highest level of restrictions.
Manchester Council leaders are said to have demanded £75m in extra cash help but Downing Street was only willing to offer them £60million.
One Whitehall insider told The Sun: “We offered a very comprehensive package that was in line with what was offered in Liverpool and Lancashire.
“It was the mayor’s pride that got in the way of a deal."
“He wanted £65milion and we had suggested £55million, but we were willing to do £60m.
“From what I gather I think the council leaders would have taken £60m in Manchester, but it was the Mayor’s personal inflexibility that got in the way.”
The Prime Minister will address the situation at 5pm, when he will be flanked by deputy chief medical officer Jonathan van Tam and NHS Director Stephen Powis.
Earlier Mr Burnham finally admitted he would accept the higher lockdown – despite case numbers falling in parts of the city.
The Mayor said he would ask people to obey the law if he was ordered into the next set of restrictions – and warned tier three rules are coming for everyone this winter.
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