Tue 05 May 2020:
More people have died in the United Kingdom from coronavirus than any other European country, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
On Tuesday, ONS’s weekly figures added more than 7,000 deaths in England and Wales, raising the total for the UK to 32,313.
The figure is the result of one of several methods for calculating deaths and difficult to compare with other countries, but it offers the clearest sign yet that the UK could emerge as the worst-hit country in Europe, despite being struck later than other countries.
While the UK government’s daily data had until recently only included hospital deaths, ONS figures have been broader, comprising deaths where a positive test for COVID-19 was confirmed in places such as care homes.
ONS is a non-ministerial department that reports directly to the UK Parliament.
In the week to April 24, ONS said at least 28,272 people died with the virus in England along with 1,376 in Wales – a total of 29,648.
In London, one of the UK’s epicentres,50.5 percent of all deaths registered in the week ending April 24 involved COVID-19.
Italy, until now the worst-affected European country in terms of deaths, has reported 29,072 deaths.
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