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HEALTH-VIRUS-BRITAIN
UK says virus-related deaths rise to 48,000
LONDON, June 2, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Suspected and confirmed cases of
deaths from the coronavirus outbreak in Britain have risen to 48,000,
according to official data published Tuesday.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures tallied all
fatalities in which COVID-19 was suspected or mentioned on death
certificates up to May 22.
Its figure is significantly higher than the government’s latest
daily figure of 39,045, which only includes deaths after confirmation
of a positive test.
By either measure, the toll is Europe’s worst and puts Britain
behind only the United States in officially announced deaths, although
each country has different reporting lags and methods.
The data also showed there had been 56,308 more deaths in England
and Wales than the five-year average since the outbreak took hold in
March.
But in the week ending May 22, there were 2,589 mentions of “novel
coronavirus” on death certificates in England and Wales — the lowest
since the seven days to March 27.
Britain is one of the last European countries to start easing its
stay-at-home restrictions, which were imposed on March 23.
Some younger children returned to school in England on Monday while
some shops were allowed to reopen.
But most stores are closed and restaurants and cafes can only
provide take out and delivery service.
Non-essential retail will resume on June 15 if the virus remains
contained, according to the government’s plan.
The government maintains it is in a position to lift restrictions
as infection rates are falling but critics fear it is still too soon,
and could trigger a second wave of cases.
The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland are easing restrictions more slowly, and schools remain shut.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1800hrs