Coronavirus deaths have hit their highest weekly figure since May, jumping by 13% in just seven days.
According to the Office or National Statistics (ONS) 3,040 fatalities in England and Wales in the week ending November 27 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate.
This was up from 2,697 the previous week and was the highest total since the seven days ending May 15.
It accounted for nearly a quarter (24.4%) of all deaths registered in the final week of November.
Data also shows deaths increased in all regions except the North West, where the weekly total fell from 629 to 546.
Yorkshire and the Humber had 537 fatalities involving coronavirus that week – the highest number for the region since the week ending May 1.
The East Midlands registered 361 Covid-19 deaths, also the area’s worst toll since the start of May.
In the North East 220 coronavirus-related deaths were recorded, the highest since May 15.
So far 77,707 deaths involving Covid-19 have taken place in the UK since the pandemic began, according to statisticians.
The Government’s official toll, measuring deaths within 28 days of testing positive, stands at 61,434.
Footage shows moment gunman opens fire on house in drive-by shootingAccording to the UK’s statistics agencies, 75,092 deaths have occurred where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate.
This includes the 68,048 deaths in England and Wales up to November 27, registered up to December 5, confirmed by the ONS today.
Since those figures were compiled, a further 2,338 deaths occurred in England, plus 77 in Scotland, 124 in Wales and 76 in Northern Ireland, according to additional data published on the Government’s coronavirus dashboard.
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