Covid death registrations rise

THE number of deaths involving coronavirus registered each week in England and Wales has risen for the sixth clear week in a row.

This is despite the latest figures covering a period that includes the Easter Monday bank holiday, when most register offices were closed.

A total of 1,042 deaths registered in the seven days to April 22 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is up 4% week on week and is the highest number since the seven days to February 11.

Deaths also increased by 4% in the previous week, but both figures will have been affected by the Easter bank holidays on Friday, April 15 and Monday, April 18, when very few deaths were registered.

It is likely the numbers would have been higher had the bank holidays not taken place.

The data suggests deaths involving coronavirus are continuing on a slow upwards trend, though they remain well below levels seen in previous waves of the virus.

The rise follows the recent surge in infections driven by the Omicron BA.2 variant.