The number of deaths involving Covid-19 in England and Wales has risen for the second week in a row.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that the number of deaths involving coronavirus increased in six of the nine English regions.
The North East and London were the only English regions to have fewer overall deaths than the five-year average.
In Wales, the number of deaths involving Covid-19 increased to five deaths in week 38, the week ending September 18, from one death in week 37.
Meanwhile the total number of deaths in week 38 in Wales was 20 fewer deaths than the five-year average.
The number of deaths registered in England and Wales in week 38 was 9,523; this was 288 fewer deaths than the previous week.
But the death toll registered in week 38 was still 2.8%, 259 deaths, above the five-year average.
Of the deaths registered in that week, 139 mentioned “novel coronavirus (Covid-19)”, accounting for 1.5% of all deaths in England and Wales.
This is an increase compared with the previous week, with 40 more deaths.
The numbers of deaths in hospitals and care homes were below the five-year average in week 38, with 365 and 68 fewer deaths respectively.
While the number of deaths in private homes remained above the five-year average, with 711 more deaths.
The number of deaths registered in the UK in the week ending 18 September was 10,784.
In week 38, the number of deaths involving coronavirus in England and Wales increased or remained similar across the majority of age groups.
The figures also revealed that for most age groups there have been more deaths involving Covid-19 in males than in females.
