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| Deaths in UK 'a fifth higher than normal levels' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The total number of deaths occurring in the UK is nearly a fifth above normal levels, latest figures show. | The total number of deaths occurring in the UK is nearly a fifth above normal levels, latest figures show. |
| Data from national statisticians show there were almost 14,000 deaths in the week ending 13 November. | Data from national statisticians show there were almost 14,000 deaths in the week ending 13 November. |
| Some 2,838 of the deaths involved Covid - 600 more than the preceding week, according to the analysis of death certificates. | Some 2,838 of the deaths involved Covid - 600 more than the preceding week, according to the analysis of death certificates. |
| The North West and Yorkshire have seen the most excess deaths. | The North West and Yorkshire have seen the most excess deaths. |
| The number of deaths in both regions were more than a third above expected levels. | The number of deaths in both regions were more than a third above expected levels. |
| By comparison, the number of deaths in the South East was just 2% above the five-year average. | By comparison, the number of deaths in the South East was just 2% above the five-year average. |
| But there is hope the rise in the number deaths may soon start slowing. | But there is hope the rise in the number deaths may soon start slowing. |
| The daily figures published by government - which rely on positive tests - show deaths are not rising as quickly as they were, and may be levelling off. | The daily figures published by government - which rely on positive tests - show deaths are not rising as quickly as they were, and may be levelling off. |
| And unlike in the first wave, when the lack of testing meant the government figures underestimated the number of Covid deaths, the two sets of data are mirroring each other. | And unlike in the first wave, when the lack of testing meant the government figures underestimated the number of Covid deaths, the two sets of data are mirroring each other. |
| Sarah Scobie, of the Nuffield Trust health think tank, said: "Despite the end of the second national lockdown in England coming into focus, today's figures are a sobering reminder of the dreadful impact of this virus. | Sarah Scobie, of the Nuffield Trust health think tank, said: "Despite the end of the second national lockdown in England coming into focus, today's figures are a sobering reminder of the dreadful impact of this virus. |
| She said the high number of deaths was "piling on the pressure" on the NHS. | She said the high number of deaths was "piling on the pressure" on the NHS. |
| "For some hospitals, particularly in Covid hotspot areas, it will feel as if they are in the depths of winter already." | "For some hospitals, particularly in Covid hotspot areas, it will feel as if they are in the depths of winter already." |