Britain is on track to become one of Europe’s worst-hit countries in the coronavirus pandemic, according to data on Tuesday that showed deaths from coronavirus had already topped 20,000 by April 17, including a fast-rising toll in care homes.
157,149 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TESTED POSITIVE
The Office for National Statistics said the death toll involving coronavirus in England and Wales was 52 percent higher than the daily figures for deaths in hospitals released by the government as of April 17, according to official data that include deaths in the community.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 21,284 people overall had died as of April 17 with mentions of coronavirus, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, on their death certificates.
That was some 52 percent higher than the 13,917 people who died in hospitals, as published by the government on April 18. That takes the United Kingdom’s total death toll as of April 17 beyond those reported by France – which also includes deaths in care homes – and Spain, though lower than Italy’s total toll.