Death toll soars 94% in space of a fortnight
THE record 1,610 daily virus deaths reported in the UK yesterday was almost double the figure from two weeks ago.
The daily number was up 30 per cent on last Tuesday and an increase of 94 per cent on January 5, when there were 830 deaths.
The number of daily cases have almost halved in the last fortnight, from 60,000 to 33,355, but experts warn the death rate will remain high due to the lag between infections and deaths.
Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle said: “The number of Covid-19 related deaths within 28 days of a positive test will continue for some time throughout this second wave.
“Whilst there are some early signs that show our sacrifices are working, we must continue to strictly abide by the measures in place.
“By reducing our contacts and staying at home we will see a fall in the number of infections over time.”
As of 8am yesterday, 34,015 Covid patients were in English hospitals, including 3,603 on mechanical ventilation.
NHS England says 400 military staff are now working alongside medics in hospitals across London and the Midlands.
A mix of combat medical technicians and soldiers are performing general duties including helping on wards and porter duties.
Meanwhile, a study suggested one in eight people in England had already had Covid by December, up from one in 14 in October.
The Office for National Statistics estimated 12 per cent of those 16 and over – around 5.4 million – had antibodies, indicating past infection.
Regional figures varied from 17 per cent in Yorkshire and Humber to five per cent in the South-west.
In separate figures, coronavirus deaths in care homes jumped by 71 per cent week-on-week, from 560 in the week to January 1 to 960 in the week to January 8, said the ONS.