Coronavirus could have killed 23% more Brits as new figures show 40 died outside hospital
AT least 40 more people have died from coronavirus in the UK - as hidden deaths at home were today revealed for the first time.
New figures reveal 210 people died in England and Wales from the killer bug up to March 20 - 23 per cent more than official NHS numbers have shown.
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NHS England and Public Health Wales had recorded 170 people died in hospital up to that date.
But once deaths outside hospital - including at home - are taken in the number rises to 210, new figures from the Office of National Statistics show.
The new figures also reveal 181 people died in the week up to March 20 alone.
That means more than 70 per cent of total deaths occurred in that week, which is a huge spike.
Today's figures from the Office for National Statistics do not include Northern Ireland and Scotland so the true number for the UK will be higher.
Yesterday the Department of Health reported 1,408 deaths in the UK but these numbers only include those who have died in NHS hospitals.
If the 23 per cent increase was applied to yesterday's hospital-only total of 1,408, it would result in a total of 1,732 deaths.
The new ONS figures which include non-hospital deaths only go up to March 20 - three days before strict lockdown measures were imposed by Boris Johnson to curb the spread of the disease.
Unlike the NHS figures, which are limited to those who died in hospital after testing positive for the disease, these wrap in deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned as a suspected cause of death where someone has not necessarily tested positive for the disease.
By March 20, 108 people were registered as dying of coronavirus.
It takes five days to register a death certificate and so by March 25 the number of people registered as dying of coronavirus before March 20 had risen to 210.
Out of 108 deaths, 19 per cent were recorded in people aged 65 to 74, seven per cent in those aged between 45 and 64 and there was one death in someone aged 15 to 44.
A further 42 per cent of the deaths were aged 85 and over, while 31 per cent were 75 to 84.
London had the highest number of coronavirus deaths, while the lowest numbers were the North East and South West.
It comes after yesterday's death toll marked the first time the daily increase in deaths has fallen for two consecutive days - suggesting Britain's lockdown may be working.
At least four of those who died had no pre-existing medical conditions, the Department of Health said.
Among the latest deaths is RSPCA worker Jayne Lowry, who died four days after her 26th birthday.
It is not known if she had underlying health problems.
Jayne, of Preston, Lancs, did not have a cough but went into cardiac arrest on Saturday evening and died in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The tragedy came a week after Chloe Middleton, 21, from High Wycombe, Bucks, became the the UK’s youngest coronavirus victim with no existing medical issues.
There are fears the NHS will be crippled trying to cope with the surge in coronavirus patients - with one boss revealing he is "losing the will to live".
Alan Hoskins, chief officer of the Health Care Supply Association, warned there is a struggle to source protective equipment for staff.
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New clinical guidelines tell staff to wear a face mask, apron and gloves when coming within 1metre (3ft) of a potentially infected patient.
Mr Hoskins, whose organisation represents NHS procurement staff, wrote on Twitter: “What a day, no gowns NHS Supply Chain.
"Rang every number escalated to NHS England, just got message back — no stock, can’t help, can send you a PPE pack. Losing the will to live, god help us all.”
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Boris Johnson has warned things would "get worse before they get better," suggesting tougher lockdown measures will be enforced if needed.
And the UK's coronavirus restrictions could now last for six months, the deputy chief medical officer has revealed.
Dr Jenny Harries last week refused to rule out extending the lockdown, and suggested the restrictions would depend on the peak of the virus.
