Coronavirus: UK reports 143 coronavirus deaths – highest daily figure since June
Written by News on 13/10/2020
The UK has reported 143 coronavirus deaths – the highest daily figure since June.
It brings the total number of coronavirus deaths in the UK to 43,018, according to government figures.
The amount of positive cases reported in the last 24 hours was 17,234, taking the total to 634,920.
The figure is up from 13,972 on Monday.
Public Health England (PHE) said the rising number of COVID-19 deaths is “hugely concerning”.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, PHE medical director, said: “We have seen cases increasing especially in older age groups which is leading to more hospital admissions.
“This is a stark reminder for us to follow the guidelines.
“Importantly, do not mix with others when unwell.
“We must all do our part to help control the virus by following the restrictions in our areas, maintaining social distance, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces and washing our hands regularly.”
The 143 deaths reported on Tuesday is up from the 61 deaths that were confirmed on the same day last week, government figures show.
The latest figure is also considerably higher than the 16 deaths that were reported on the same day last month.
The number of cases reported on Tuesday is over 200 more than the 16,948 confirmed on the same day last week.
It is also considerably higher than the 2,143 cases that were reported on the same day in September.
The latest figures were reported before the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for a two to three week “circuit breaker” lockdown, saying the government had “lost control of the pandemic”.
Labour had accused the government of ignoring the advice of scientists, after it emerged the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) had recommended such a lockdown three weeks ago.
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MPs will begin voting on Boris Johnson’s three-tier lockdown measures this evening, with Labour expected to vote with the government.
Sir Keir told Sky News’ Kate McCann that “nobody” is calling for no restrictions, but it is in the national interest to go further with a “circuit break” lockdown.
It comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock attacked proponents of a herd immunity strategy, describing it as a “flawed goal” in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
Herd immunity is the resistance to a contagious disease within a population because enough people have become immune, making it harder for it to spread.
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: UK reports 143 coronavirus deaths – highest daily figure since June
