Shropshire Star

No new Shropshire coronavirus deaths as toll for England rises by 367

A further 367 people have died from coronavirus, NHS England has confirmed - although there have been no further deaths in Shropshire in the past 24 hours.

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Latest coronavirus figures confirmed by NHS England

In total 1,789 people have now died across the UK after testing positive for Covid-19, with a further 381 deaths confirmed across all countries on Tuesday.

The jump is by far the biggest day-on-day rise in the number of UK deaths since the outbreak began and means the total number of deaths is 27 per cent higher than the equivalent figure the day before.

One of the 367 English patients confirmed to have died in the latest figures was aged just 19 and had no underlying health conditions.

There have been no further deaths in Shropshire, where 12 people have died so far at Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust and another person has died at a Shrewsbury retirement complex.

Wales has announced a further seven deaths, taking the total in the country to 69. Public Health Wales does not provide a breakdown of the areas where patients have died.

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It comes as councils, police and custodians of parks, lakes, and other visitor attractions in Shropshire and Mid Wales have taken action to prevent people using them during the coronavirus pandemic.

At Lake Vyrnwy, one of the most picturesque areas in the region, residents have also made their feelings clear on people visiting the site. A series of signs have been set up that tell people, in no uncertain terms, that now is not the time to visit.

Meanwhile, two drivers caught playing a game of cat and mouse in Telford in the early hours of the morning have had their cars seized by police.

On a lighter note, wild goats that have been ‘kidding around’ in Llandudno, North Wales, during the national lockdown have been captured on camera by a local resident.

A gang of goats has been spotted strolling around the deserted streets of the seaside town.

New statistics

It comes as other figures revealed that the true death toll is higher than hospital statistics suggest.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for England and Wales shows there were 24 per cent more deaths relating to Covid-19 up to and including March 20, compared to hospital-only data for the same period.

Deaths in England & Wales where Covid-19 mentioned on death certificate
(PA Graphics)

The ONS looked at all deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned as a factor, including hospital deaths and those in the community and care homes.

A total of 210 deaths in England and Wales for the time period had Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate, compared with 170 coronavirus-related deaths reported by NHS England and Public Health Wales.

Hospital figures are of people who have tested positive for Covid-19, whereas the ONS includes all deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate, even if only suspected.

However, the ONS data does provide a much wider picture of what may be happening in the community.

It comes as Boris Johnson chaired a meeting of his Cabinet by videolink on Tuesday, as he continues to self-isolate in Downing Street after testing positive for coronavirus.

The Prime Minister has faced heavy criticism over shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline NHS staff as well as the slow rollout of testing.

All Cabinet ministers dialled into the meeting, with only civil service chief Sir Mark Sedwill and a small number of officials in the Cabinet room in Downing Street, following the rules and keeping two metres apart.

The Prime Minister told the meeting: “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.”

He added: “The situation is going to get worse before it gets better – but it will get better.”

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