CORONAVIRUS deaths in the UK might be 54 per cent higher than reported – meaning the grim death toll could be at least 32,000.
The Office for National Statistics today found there were 22,300 deaths involving Covid-19 in and outside of hospital up to April 17 but registered to April 25.
his is compared to 14,451 reported by the Department of Health for England and Wales at the same time.
The number means the UK death toll could be around 54 per cent higher than the current total of 21,092 – bringing the total number of deaths from the disease to at least 32,000.
The figures explore deaths that happened outside hospital – including care homes and private houses – as well as backdated hospital deaths.
“Every death from this virus is a tragedy. This is being exacerbated by the fact some social care staff and other frontline workers still lack the necessary PPE to protect themselves and the people they care for from contracting coronavirus.”
Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board
It also includes hidden deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned as a suspected cause of death but the victim has not necessarily tested positive for the disease.
And they do not include Northern Ireland and Scotland so the true number for the UK will be higher.
The statistics also show Covid-19 care home deaths had trebled in the week leading up to April 17 as the killer bug tears through the sector.