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The UK topped a total of 100,000 deaths from Covid-19 on January 7, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics, which also released data showing deaths in care homes in England and in Wales hit their highest level since last May.
The date is earlier than previously estimated, due to upward revised figures since last week. The UK statistical agencies’ total death toll, which includes deaths up to January 15, now stands at 107,907.
ONS figures also show 1,719 nursing home residents died from the virus in the week to January 15 – more than doubling the death toll since Christmas.
The Guardian previously reported that the 100,000 death mark was crossed on January 13, combining figures from statistical agencies and daily government figures.
ONS figures on Covid-19 deaths
Responding to the data, Richard Murray, chief executive of the King’s Fund, said: “This time last year, it would be almost impossible to believe that a wealthy island nation with a universal healthcare system would continue to have the one of the highest tolls from the emerging coronavirus pandemic.
“Yet the UK has now passed the grim milestone of 100,000 coronavirus deaths, and many more are likely to follow.”
The majority of the deaths were in England, which reported 92,257 deaths as of January 15, followed by Scotland (7,448), Wales (6,074) and Northern Ireland (2,128).
Death figures from countries’ statistical agencies are considered the most accurate way to count Covid deaths and include mentions of Covid-19 on death certificates. However, there are often delays in registering deaths, so government figures are useful for a more up-to-date tally.
According to the government measure, which counts deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test, there have been 98,531 deaths in the UK, a figure expected to reach 100,000 this week.
There are signs that case rates in England have started to stabilize, according to the latest ONS infection survey, which found positivity had declined slightly. However, deaths will continue to increase after the cases disappear.
Dr David Spiegelhalter, president of the Winton Center at Cambridge University, said: ‘Much attention will be paid to deaths with Covid reaching 100,000, but this is based on figures released each day, which only include people who have a test and died within 28 days.
“More precise data from the ONS shows that more than 100,000 people in the UK had already died with Covid on their death certificate on January 7, almost three weeks ago. That figure rose to 108,000 on January 15, and the total will now be close to 120,000.
“About 90% of them had Covid as an immediate cause of death, so we can say maybe that around 100,000 people in the UK have now died from Covid. A horrible total.
In nursing homes, the largest increases in deaths were seen in the northeast, which reported a 58% increase in deaths, data from the Office for National Statistics showed.
The number of deaths involving Covid in nursing homes in England reported to the Care Quality Commission regulator rose from 1,292 to 1,705 in the week ending January 22, with the rise in outbreaks earlier this month caused by the variant. the most transmissible leading to an increase in deaths.
The figures bring the UK death toll from Covid in nursing homes to more than 27,000 when deaths recorded in Scotland and Northern Ireland during the same period are included.
In the week to January 22, 47% of all nursing home deaths in England involved Covid, up from 41% the week before, according to data from the Care Quality Commission.
“Today’s numbers are grim again and our hearts go out to all of those who have lost someone to Covid-19,” said Mike Padgham, Chairman of the Independent Care Group. “Hopefully the numbers will start to improve soon, because we always knew there would be a lag before the impact of the lockdown and the vaccine started showing up. Covid-19 is still taking its toll and we cannot afford to become complacent.
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York called on everyone to take a break, reflect and pray every day at 6 p.m. after the death toll surpassed 100,000.
In an open letter, Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell say, “100,000 is not just an abstract number. Each issue is a person: someone we love and someone who has loved us … We encourage anyone who feels afraid, lost or isolated to cast their fears on God.
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