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LONDON (Reuters) – The true extent of Britain’s COVID-19 death toll was more than 40% higher than the government’s daily figures reported as of April 10, according to data that led the country to become one of the most affected in Europe.
The Office for National Statistics said it recorded 13,121 deaths by April 10 in England and Wales, representing the vast majority of Britain’s population, compared to 9,288 in the daily government figure for those killed in hospital.
The ONS figures include deaths in residences and hospices, as well as in hospitals.
Britain, which scientists say is probably now at the peak of the outbreak, reported the fifth highest national death toll in the world from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus.
The global number of COVID-19 deaths is now around 170,000.
The latest hospital death data shows that 16,509 people with COVID-19 had died across the UK as of this Sunday.
If these figures underestimate the total number of deaths by a similar amount, then the true human cost to the UK as a whole could be over 23,000 according to the latest data, making it the second worst hit in Europe after Italy .
However, the difference between initial government-released daily figures and subsequent ONS data has narrowed with each passing week, and may have narrowed even further when ONS reports on the latest figure.
Still, Tuesday’s figures are likely to raise more questions about Britain’s decision to impose its blockade of society at a later date than its European peers, many of whom have had less severe outbreaks of the new coronavirus.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is still on sick leave after falling ill with COVID-19 as his ministers try to tackle pressing problems like the shortage of personal protective equipment for health workers.
Deadliest week
Including all deaths, 18,516 people died in England and Wales for the seven days to April 10, nearly 8,000 more than normal for the time of year and marking the deadliest week since a severe flu outbreak more than 20 years ago. .
Martin Hibberd, professor of emerging infectious diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said the numbers marked a “rapid” increase.
“With limited testing, it may be that all of the excess 7,996 deaths were directly due to COVID-19,” Hibberd said.
“(But) it is also likely that at least some of these were indirectly involved, such as the inability to access typical medical care for other conditions due to COVID-19 activities.”
COVID-19 was mentioned in one third of all death certificates issued in England and Wales in the week to April 19.
In London, more than half of the death certificates issued that week mentioned COVID-19.
The ONS figures are based on mentions of COVID-19 on death certificates, regardless of whether the deceased has tested positive for coronavirus.
“In nursing home settings, there are now twice as many deaths from all causes … than there were two weeks ago,” ONS statistician Nick Stripe told the BBC.
“About 17% of those deaths mention COVID on the death certificate.”
Report by Andy Bruce; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Gareth Jones
