The rising number of Covid-19-related deaths in care homes pushed the overall death toll in England and Wales to the highest level since comparable figures began in 1993, new figures show.
The new statistics, from the ONS, show the true number of deaths linked to the virus for the week ending April 17 were 39 per cent higher in England and 61 per cent higher in Wales than previously reported, as they account for deaths outside of hospitals.
It comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that Covid-19 testing will be massively ramped up to include all care home residents and staff.
He also said that daily figures for deaths in care homes and communities will now be published daily by the Government, instead of just weekly by the ONS.
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