The number of coronavirus deaths has jumped by 53% in just a week to reach the highest levels since June.
Deaths involving Covid-19 in England and Wales rose for the sixth week in a row and have now reached the highest levels since mid-June, new official figures released today show.
Overall, more than 61,000 deaths involving Covid-19 have now occurred in the UK, according to the new Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.
Across the whole of the UK, 761 deaths where coronavirus was noted in the registration were recorded in the week ending October 16 alone.
That figure is 287 higher than the previous week - an uplift of just under 40%.
A total of 59,927 deaths have so far been registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, including suspected cases, according to national statistic agencies.
Three-quarters of those who died around the UK were aged over 75- but the over-90s are now beginning to die at greater rates, the most recent week's figures showed.
A total of 670 deaths in England and Wales registered in the week ending October 16 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate- the highest number since the week ending June 19.
A total 438 deaths where the virus was mentioned were recorded in the week ending October 9, according to the ONS figures.
The vast majority of the new deaths were recorded in England - with the North West the worst-hit area.
In total, there were were 622 deaths involving Covid-19 in England, including 229 in the North West.
The Midlands, and North East were the next worst-hit areas for overall excess deaths.
England's South East was the only region to have fewer overall deaths in that week than the five-year average.
London and the East of England's overall deaths remained almost static, with two more deaths than the five-year average in the capital.
Another 47 deaths involving Covid-19 were registered in Wales - up ten from 37 the week before.
Overall, the number of deaths registered across England and Wales was 6.8% above the five-year average, the fresh ONS data showed.
The numbers of deaths in hospitals from all causes across England and Wales also remained below the five-year average - with 184 fewer deaths.
However the number of deaths in private homes and care homes were above the five-year average at 776 and 90 more deaths respectively, the ONS found.
