Coronavirus linked to one in 20 of all deaths in the UK, new figures show
DEADLY coronavirus was responsible for one in 20 deaths in the UK until the end of March, new figures reveal.
Covid-19 was listed as a factor in almost 5 per cent of all deaths in England and Wales in the week leading up to March 27.
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A total of 11,141 deaths were registered in both countries in that time-frame - a rise of 496 deaths registered the previous week and 1,011 more than the five-year average.
Of these, 539 deaths mentioned "novel coronavirus (COVID-19)" on the death certificate, the Office for National Statistics revealed today.
A total of 501 people died in hospital - meaning 38 others were killed by the disease while at home.
Last week, the ONS revealed there had been at least 40 deaths at home up to March 20 - so 78 have died from the virus outside of hospital so far.
The number is slightly lower than the deaths reported by the Department of Health, which reported 739 by March 27, because of the time it takes for deaths to be registered to the ONS.
Plus most coronavirus deaths in Britain's current total of 5,373 have happened in the past ten days as the pandemic gathers pace.
The latest figures from the ONS also do not include Northern Ireland and Scotland so the true number for the UK will be higher.
They look at hidden deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned as a suspected cause of death but the victim has not necessarily tested positive for the disease.
They show 20 of the deaths were in care homes and 15 in residential homes,
Two people died in hospices and one happened elsewhere - showing the majority of coronavirus deaths are still taking place in hospital.
Additional figures reveal 233 of the victims - 36 per cent - were aged 85 or over, while 215 - 33 per cent - were between 75 and 84.
A total of 120 deaths - 19 per cent - were people aged 65 to 74, 70 - 11 per cent - were people aged 45 to 64 and nine deaths - one per cent - were in the 15 to 44 age group.
There have also been more deaths involving Covid-19 in males than in females in every age group.
The timeframe of March 21 to March 27 includes the days before and after Britain went into lockdown on March 23.
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It comes as Boris Johnson was last night rushed into intensive care as he continues to battle coronavirus at St Thomas' Hospital in London.
The PM needed four litres of oxygen after struggling to breathe but is not yet on a ventilator and is still conscious.
Doctors are preparing a unit to be ready by his bedside should his condition worsen.
This morning there has been no update on the PM's condition, but Michael Gove has stressed that No10 will deliver any news as and when it comes.
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He is now self-isolating after a member of his family developed coronavirus symptoms.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is also the First Secretary of State, will now run the Government and take charge of the fight against the virus.
Politicians from across the globe and all parties have wished Mr Johnson the best.
