1,325 UK deaths in one day as virus cases locally continue to rise

UK coronavirus deaths have soared, with the highest daily increase since the pandemic began.

Our sister title the Daily Mirror reports that the UK’S daily death toll rose to a record 1,325 yesterday.

That is 101 higher than the previous highest daily nationwide toll of 1,224 on April 21, during the peak of the first wave lockdown.

The UK’S official death toll within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test now stands at 79,833.

Infection rates also soared by a record 68,053 in the 24 hours to yesterday. The grim figures come as England remains in its third national lockdown until at least mid-february but most likely longer.

The most recent available figures for the local area are for between 4pm on Wednesday and 4.20pm on Thursday.

That data shows that more than 70 people in East Staffordshire have tested positive for coronavirus in the previous 24 hours. The figures from Public Health England show that eight more people have died across Burton, South Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire, all within 28 days of testing positive for the virus.

In a bid to slow down the spread of the virus, England is now in its third lockdown in just over nine months – with people told to stay home to save lives and only go out if it is necessary, including to buy food, or for daily exercise.

A total of 5,949 people in East Staffordshire have now had confirmed cases of Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic – a rise of 74 since Wednesday.

Two more deaths were announced, so the total stands at 264. The population of the borough is around 119,754.

In South Derbyshire, there have been 43 new cases since Wednesday, with the total since the start of the pandemic now standing at 4,584.

There have been three more deaths in South Derbyshire, with the total number standing at 153. The district’s population is around 107,261.

In North West Leicestershire, there have now been 3,521 cases since the start of the pandemic, including 43 new cases.

A total of 138 people have died within 28 days of testing positive with four deaths in the latest 24-hour period analysed.