Coronavirus UK death toll rises to 1,808 after 393 die in record daily surge
A further 393 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of deaths reported in the UK to 1,808.
The largest surge came in England where NHS Trusts recorded the deaths of 367 patients including a 19-year-old with no underlying health conditions.
A further seven deaths were reported in Wales, with another 13 in Scotland and six in Northern Ireland.
The patients who died in England were aged between 19 and 98 years old. Twenty-eight of them had no underlying health conditions.
The latest figures emerged after Boris Johnson told the cabinet ”the situation is going to get worse before it gets better – but it will get better” during a meeting by videolink.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The PM said the rising death toll in recent days showed the vital importance of the public continuing to stick to the social distancing guidance which has been put in place by the government, based on scientific and medical advice.”
However concerns have been raised over the true figures as the toll does not include deaths outside of hospitals, such as at patients’ homes.
The Office for National Statistics revealed that 210 registered deaths that occurred in England and Wales up to and including 20 March had Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate.
This compares with 170 coronavirus-related deaths reported by NHS England and Public Health Wales for the same time period.
The difference is due to methods of counting and reporting, the ONS explained.
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