UK records 379 Covid deaths in highest number since February last year as cases drop

The UK reported 379 Covid deaths on Tuesday as cases drop to 120,821, according to the latest government data.

The number of deaths recorded is the highest daily number of deaths since February 24 last year when 442 fatalities were reported.

Deaths are those who have died within 28 days of a positive test.

By comparison, there were 142,224 positive Covid cases and 77 deaths on Monday.

The increase in cases is the lowest daily increase since December 27.

The cases are just over half the daily increase in cases last Tuesday of 218,724.

Across the UK, 1,103,660 tested positive in the past week which was down 13 per cent on the previous week’s total of new cases.

The data also reveals almost 20,000 patients were in hospitals across the UK with Covid-19 as of Monday, standing at a total of 19,828 people.

Of the Covid patients currently in hospital, 820 were recorded as being in a bed requiring mechanical ventilation.

In London, 3,826 people were hospitalised with Covid as of Tuesday.

However, there were hopes this week that the capital could be past the peak of the Omicron wave.

Cases were down in 26 out of 32 boroughs in the week to January 5, according to separate data.

Professor Kevin Fenton, London’s public health chief, told the Standard: “Latest data suggests that London may be past the peak of the Omicron wave of infection.

“In the past two days, we have seen case numbers decrease in the over 60s and this is a promising sign which we continue to track.

“However, overall case numbers remain very high and are currently undulating at a high level, so Omicron is persisting and we are not seeing the rapid retreat that we would’ve liked, meaning London is still under pressure.”