UK coronavirus death toll hits 34,970 as 174 more die in England – but true figure much higher – The Sun

BRITAIN'S coronavirus death toll hit at least 34,970 today after 174 more died in England – including a seven-year-old.

Yesterday marked the lowest rise in deaths in England since the lockdown began in late March, with 122 fatalities, but today, the figure has risen.

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The child was one of 168 people with an underlying health condition to lose their lives.

Six more patients, the youngest of whom was 45, had no health condition known to medics.

It means the total number of deaths in England is now 24,913, NHS England officials say.

The latest count refers to those who have died in all settings – including care homes, hospices and the wider community.

However, new analysis published today suggests Britain's overall death toll from the virus is far higher than the total reported by the Government so far – and has already passed 44,000.

The Office for National Statistics reports that 39,071 deaths involving the deadly bug occurred in England and Wales up to May 8 and had been registered up to May 16.

The latest figures from the National Records of Scotland, published last week, showed 3,213 deaths involving Covid-19 had been registered in Scotland up to May 10.

And the most recent figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, also published last week, showed 599 deaths involving Covid-19 had been registered in Northern Ireland up to May 13.

Together these figures mean that, so far, 42,883 deaths have been registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, including suspected cases.

A further 1,211 hospital patients in England who had tested positive for Covid-19 died between May 9 and May 17, according to figures published on Monday by NHS England – which, together with the total figure of 42,883 registered deaths, indicates the overall death toll for the UK is now just over 44,000.

UK'S TRUE DEATH TOLL 'PASSES 44,000'

The shocking report was released the day after of the UK's top medical experts warned we must learn to live with the deadly virus for "several years" and prepare for a second wave of the bug.

Last night, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam warned the country will only "be out of this" once a vaccine has been found – and that Covid-19 may return again in autumn and winter.

Speaking during the Government's daily press briefing, Prof Van-Tam said it would take a vaccine "really capable of suppressing disease levels" for the country to recover fully.

He added: "So from that perspective we may have to live, and learn to live, with this virus in the long-term, certainly for many months to come if not several years."

Monday's grim toll marked the lowest number of deaths in a 24-hour period since the lockdown began.

But officials from NHS England warned the figures may be artificially low due to a tech glitch.

Health bosses said the Covid-19 patient notification system stopped working temporarily on May 16.

The issue might have had an impact on the number of deaths reported yesterday, and a spokesperson said the total is "lower than would be expected".

In addition, the daily figures showing the number of deaths from Saturday to Monday tend to be lower than the rest of the week.

It comes as:

    • British travellers face a £10,000 fine if they break strict 14-day quarantine rules 
    • Unemployment jumped by 50,000 to 1.35million in the first weeks of the coronavirus crisis compared to the same period last year
    • The Department of Health will soon report on the number of Brits to have recovered from the virus in a bid to coax people back to work
    • Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan says the crisis in the UK's care homes is a "stain on the country and Government"
    • Some teachers' unions say it wouldn't be safe for members to mark children's books due to the risk of Covid-19
    • Health Secretary Matt Hancock says testing will be available to anyone over the age of five who needs it
    • There's fresh hope that Brits could have a staycation later this year
    • Agency staff spread coronavirus between care homes during the early days of the pandemic

    That's due to a lag in reporting the figures over the weekend.

    Lockdown rules began to ease last week, with sunbathing and unlimited exercise allowed – as long as Brits observe social distancing.

    This morning, Tube services in the capital were busy yet again as people begin to return to work.

    Transport bosses at some major stations – including Canary Wharf – are asking workers to avoid using services at peak times.

    And British Transport Police officers are patrolling platforms to make sure rush-hour mayhem is avoided.

    London Mayor Sadiq Khan – who is facing criticism after announcing plans to increase the charges for vehicles driving in central London and hike Undergound fares – has called for all commuters to wear masks.

    He said public transport must only be used for essential travel.

    Despite that, Government plans to ease the lockdown continue.

    Pupils at some schools will return in June, while pubs, cafes and restaurants could open to sell pints and food from market-style outdoor stalls in just weeks.

    Boris Johnson hopes a slow phased unlocking of Britain will allow the country to slip back into some sort of "new normal".

    The Government still needs to fulfill the five requirements needed to end lockdown.




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