Increasing number of fatality in UK: COVID-19 death toll reaches 12,868

The death toll of those hospitalized in Britain who tested positive for the novel coronavirus hit 12,868 as of Tuesday afternoon, a daily increase of 761, the Department of Health and Social Care said Wednesday.

As of Wednesday morning, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Britain reached 98,476, said the department.

Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has suggested the total number of virus-related deaths in Britain is significantly higher than the figures published by the National Health Service (NHS) and the health department, which only count hospital deaths.

According to the ONS, around one in 10 coronavirus-related deaths registered up to April 3 in England and Wales took place outside hospitals.

Amid criticism that care homes were being ignored during the outbreak, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced during Wednesday’s Downing Street daily press briefing that from Wednesday all care home residents coming back from hospital will be tested before being admitted to the care home.

“Everybody going from hospital into social care will be tested for #coronavirus & isolated whilst the result comes through to protect those most in need,” Hancock said on Twitter earlier in the day.

As to the personal protective equipment (PPE), he told reporters that a new online delivery system is being rolled out to supply care homes, noting that this will contribute to slowing the spread of coronavirus in care homes.