The UK has recorded 143 coronavirus deaths in a 24-hour period – the first time the number has surpassed 100 since June.
A further 17,234 people have also tested positive for the disease, taking the total number of cases since the pandemic began to 634,920.
It is the highest daily figure reported since 164 deaths were reported on June 10, but there is often a delay in the reporting of deaths over a weekend. Here’s how to make sense of the figures.
Daily deaths remained below 20 for all of August and the first half of September, but have since been rising. On July 30, after data were revised to remove deaths that had occurred more than 28 days after diagnosis, the UK hit the milestone of recording no new deaths with the virus at all.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, Public Health England (PHE) medical director, said: “The trend in Covid-related deaths is starting to rise quickly, which is hugely concerning.
“We have seen cases increasing especially in older age groups, which is leading to more hospital admissions. This is a stark reminder for us to follow the guidelines. Importantly, do not mix with others when unwell.
“We must all do our part to help control the virus by following the restrictions in our areas, maintaining social distance, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces and washing our hands regularly.”
The data are broken down by UK nation, with 124 deaths being reported in England in the 24 hours to 5pm on Monday; seven each being reported in Scotland and Northern Ireland, both in the 24 hours up to 9.30am on Tuesday; and five in Wales, using the same window as England.
But the deaths themselves may have taken place well before that period and only now been reported.
Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 58,500 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
Hospital admissions data also show an upward trend:
- In England a total of 628 patients with confirmed Covid-19 were admitted to hospitals on Sunday, compared with 478 a week earlier.
- 441 were in ventilation beds, up from 349 a week ago.
- In Scotland, 487 Covid-19 patients were in hospital as of Monday, up from 218 a week earlier.
- 36 were in ventilation beds, up from 22 a week earlier.
- In Wales, 348 Covid-19 patients were in hospital as of Monday, up from 249 a week earlier.
- 30 were in ventilation beds, down from 32 a week earlier.
- In Northern Ireland, 140 Covid-19 patients were in hospital as of Sunday, up from 116 a week earlier.
- 15 were in ventilation beds as of Monday, up from eight a week earlier.