Deaths hit 143 – highest in 4 months

DeAtHs from coronavirus increased by 143 yesterday – the highest daily figure since June.

the rise is almost double the same time last week when 76 deaths were recorded and almost three times higher than monday, when there were 50, although there is often a weekend lag.

Positive cases also rose to 17,234, up from 13,972 on the previous day and more than 18 per cent higher than last tuesday, latest data from the Government shows.

it comes the day after Prime minister Boris Johnson unveiled a three-tier system to tackle the rising number of coronavirus cases across the country.

in an earlier briefing, Professor Jonathan Van-tam, the deputy chief medical officer, warned the cases were leaching from younger age groups into the over-60s, which would result in rising deaths. Health officials described the number of coronavirus deaths as ‘hugely concerning.’

Last night, Dr yvonne Doyle, medical director at Public Health england, said this was now coming to fruition.

she said: ‘the trend in Covid-related deaths is starting to rise quickly which is hugely concerning.

‘We have seen cases increasing especially in older age groups which is leading to more hospital admissions. this is a stark reminder for us to follow the guidelines. importantly, do not mix with others when unwell.

‘We must all do our part to help control the virus by following the restrictions in our areas, maintaining social distance, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces and washing our hands regularly.’ separate data today revealed the number of deaths from Covid-19 in england and Wales has risen for the fourth week in a row, with the disease mentioned on 321 death certificates in the week to October 2.

this is up from 215 deaths in the previous week and is also the highest number since the week ending July 10, when 366 deaths were registered, figures from the Office for National statistics revealed.

the same data shows only one person under the age of 30 has died since August.

some 106 of the 321 deaths were in northwest england – the highest number for the region since the week to June 26.

there were 40 deaths in north-east england, which was the highest for the region since the week to June 12.

together these two regions accounted for 45 per cent of all Covid-19 deaths in england and Wales in the week to October 2.

in scotland, there were 4,276 deaths involving Covid-19 up to October 4, while 906 deaths occurred in Northern ireland up to October 2, other data showed.