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UK coronavirus deaths lowest since lockdown began, ONS figures show

coronavirus
coronavirus
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The number of weekly registered deaths involving coronavirus has fallen to the lowest level since the lockdown began, new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.

There were just 532 deaths registered for the week ending July 3, down from 606 the previous week.

It is the lowest number of deaths linked to the virus for 15 weeks, with lower figures not having been seen since the week ending March 20, when 103 deaths were recorded.

"Of all deaths registered in week 27, 5.8 per cent mentioned Covid-19, down from 6.7 per cent in week 26," said an ONS spokesman.

Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, announced lockdown measures on March 23, and 539 deaths involving coronavirus were registered in that week, according to ONS figures.

More than 50,548 deaths involving Covid-19 have been recorded in England and Wales during the outbreak, with the virus the main reason for deaths increasing above what would normally be expected for this period, the ONS said.

Excess Deaths - By Region
Excess Deaths - By Region

The number of deaths registered for the week ending July 3 was below the five-year average (43 deaths fewer), for the third consecutive week.

The number of deaths in care homes and hospitals was also fewer than the five-year average (88 and 634 deaths lower respectively), while the number of deaths in private homes was 755 higher than the five-year average.

The number of deaths involving coronavirus in care homes in England that were registered by July 3 is now at 14,332.

The number of deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK is now just under 56,000, according to the latest available data.

Figures published by the National Records of Scotland last week showed that 4,173 deaths involving Covid-19 had been registered in Scotland up to July 5, while 839 deaths had occurred in Northern Ireland up to July 3, according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

Together these figures mean that so far 55,710 deaths have been registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, including suspected cases.

A further 181 deaths have occurred in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since July 4, according to NHS England, Public Health Wales and the Northern Ireland Department of Health.

Added together with the number of registered deaths, this means the overall Covid-19 death toll for the UK is currently just under 56,000, at 55,891.