Coronavirus death toll is 50 per cent higher than government figures

Coronavirus deaths are running over 50 per cent higher than the total announced by the government, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.

By April 3 there had been 6,253 deaths in England and Wales with Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate, ONS statistics show. On April 4, the comparable death toll announced by the government was 4,093. The disparity has arisen because the daily government announcements cover only deaths in hospitals, not the community.