From the BBC:
“Covid: UK records more than
150,000 deaths”
(Wall of remembrance for Covid-19
victims near St Thomas' Hospital in London)
More than 150,000 people in the
UK have now died within 28 days of a positive Covid test since the pandemic
began. A further 313 deaths were reported in the government's daily figures on
Saturday, taking the total to 150,057. The UK is the seventh country to pass
150,000 reported deaths, after the US, Brazil, India, Russia, Mexico and Peru. The
prime minister said every death "is a profound loss to the friends and
communities affected and my thoughts and condolences are with them". Boris
Johnson added that coronavirus had taken a "terrible toll on our
country" and "our way out of this pandemic is for everyone to get
their booster or their first or second dose if they haven't yet". Some
146,390 new cases have been recorded in the UK, with the more transmissible
Omicron variant driving a surge in infections. The number of deaths within 28
days of a positive test has also begun to rise, with the total of 1,271 in the
past seven days up 38.3% on the previous week. The impact of vaccinations means
Covid hospital admissions and deaths are not rising as quickly as during
previous waves. However, hospitals remain under pressure due to rising
admissions and Covid-related staff absences. In Scotland the number of people
in hospital with Covid has increased by more than 50% in the last week,
according to new figures. Camilla Claridge, from Oxfordshire, lost her
grandmother to Covid in February last year and on the night of her funeral, she
learned that her father was also dying with the virus. "We buried nan and
we came home from the funeral and then we were woken at one o'clock in the
morning from a phone call to say that it was time to think about saying our
goodbyes," she said. "It was horrendous. The ICU, you walk in and
there's just beds of people lined up with machines breathing for them…. I
didn't even recognise [my dad] because of all the tubes." "It's hard
to even imagine 150,000 people, families who have gone through what we're going
through," she added. Prof Andrew Hayward, who is a member of the
government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, said the death toll was
"absolutely tragic". "I think we could have done better,"
he told BBC Radio 4's PM programme. "I think some of the deaths are even
more tragic for the fact that many of them were avoidable if we had acted
earlier in the first and second wave." Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer
described the news as "a dark milestone for our country". "Our
thoughts are with all those who have lost someone, and we thank everyone
supporting the vaccination effort," he wrote on Twitter. "We must
ensure the public inquiry provides answers and that lessons are learned." The
prime minister has promised to launch an independent public inquiry into the
government's handling of the pandemic in the spring of this year. Jo Goodman,
co-founder of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign, said the
"country needs answers as to why we have suffered one of the highest global
death tolls". "This is ever more urgent as deaths from the Omicron
variant continue to surge, with little apparently being done to address this.
The public inquiry cannot begin its work soon enough," she added.
Official figures count
coronavirus deaths in different ways. The Office for National Statistics
records the number of deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned as a cause on the
death certificate, even if the person had not been tested for the virus, with a
total of 173,248 deaths recorded up to 24 December. In January 2021, the UK was
the first European nation and fifth country to pass 100,000 reported Covid
deaths. Six weeks later the UK had seen another 25,000 deaths. But
the combined effect of vaccine rollout and lockdown slowed the growth of the
death toll throughout the rest of the year.
Analysis box by Michelle
Roberts, health editor It's almost a year since the UK recorded 100,000
deaths. Most of those came in two waves - a sharp sudden surge in the spring
followed by a slow, sustained rise in the autumn and winter of 2020 into 2021,
largely before vaccines were available. On 8 December 2020, 90-year-old
Margaret Keenan made history by being the first person to receive a Covid jab
as part of the UK's national rollout. Vaccines have been the real
success story of the pandemic, weakening the link between infections and
serious illness and deaths from the virus. But some fatalities are still
inevitable. Today, the total number of deaths in the UK stands at more
than 150,000. It is a sobering reminder of why societies cannot ignore Covid.
It hasn't gone away. A government spokesman said: "Every death from
this virus is a tragedy and our sympathies are with everyone who has lost loved
ones. "We are thankful for the collective national effort and the hard
work of frontline health and social care staff and volunteers for administering
vaccines to tens of millions of people and keeping people safe. Their tireless
efforts have saved thousands of lives." However, he added "the
pandemic is not over" and urged people to "play their part" by
getting vaccinated. It comes after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and
Immunisation (JCVI) said a fourth Covid jab was not needed for most people yet.
Data suggests that three months after getting a booster dose, protection
against hospital admission remains at about 90% for people aged 65 and over. The
JCVI said the priority therefore remained to get first, second and third doses
to people who have not already had them. The prime minister has said he hopes
England can "ride out" the current wave of infections without further
restrictions, although he acknowledged parts of the NHS would feel
"temporarily overwhelmed". England is currently under Plan B
restrictions, which includes mandatory face masks in most public indoor spaces,
Covid passes for entry to some large venues and advice to work from home where
possible. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have already introduced tougher
measures for hospitality venues.
Remembering coronavirus
victims These are the names of, and tributes to, 777 of the people who have
died in the UK due to coronavirus Neil Robinson, 62 from Barwell,
Leicestershire. "To our much-loved dad and husband, adored Pops and
father-in-law. Taken away far too soon. Our lives will never be the same again.
A true gentleman, who was loved by many. We miss you deeply." Fred
Nicholls, 84 from Hereford. "Rest in peace, Fred. You didn't deserve
Covid-19 on top of dementia. Love, Doreen and all our friends." Andrew
Ravenhill, 49 from Hillingdon. "Andrew never gave up fighting. He was a
wonderful brother, son, dad and grandad. We will miss him dearly. God bless,
Andrew. Go walk and run free, till we meet again." Irene Bewers, 81
from Rayleigh, Essex. "To my mum Irene (Pat), who leaves behind a husband,
who has dementia and does not know his wife has died, four sons and many
grandchildren." Margaret Guise, 94 from Birmingham. "Mom - a
strong, independent character, who loved her trips to McDonald's for coffee and
ice cream." John Ho, 55 from London. "My beloved dad, who was
taken away far too soon by Covid-19. Dad always lit up the room and was loved
by so many people. He is missed terribly and will never be forgotten. He leaves
behind two daughters, two granddaughters and a partner of 23 years." James
Dowling, 78 from Berkshire. "We will always remember you and have some
very good memories of you. Were so sorry that we could not be with you to say
farewell. But we will be having a little drink in your memory. RIP." Beryl
McGrory, 84 from Coventry. "A loving mum, grandma, great-grandma, who saw
her family and friends as one of the most important things in her life. You
have left a big hole in our hearts and we miss you every day. Lots of love
always." Albert Peters, 81 from Walsall. "Albert was an amazing man,
husband, dad and grandad. He never left a room without laughter and left a
lasting impression on everyone he met. We miss you every day. "Thomas
McQuade, 56 from Blantyre, Glasgow. "Doting dad, loving fiance, uncle and
brother-in-law. Touched the hearts of everyone he met. Full of chat and always
had a story to tell. Life will never be the same without him. RIP my
darling." Joyce Walker, 82 from Bedlington. "My Nana lived for
her family and was so proud of us all. Loved by us all and never
forgotten." Raymond Tupper, 94 from Wingham. "To our lovely
dad, who succumbed to the virus the day after his 69th wedding anniversary. He
had a wicked sense of humour and showed us never-ending love. Always laughing
and joking to the end. We will miss you. "Colin Cooper, 70 from Hayfield,
High Peak. "Colin was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and
partner. He enjoyed many activities and was a talented musician both in a duet
with his partner June and also for many years as part of a successful group. He
will be very sadly missed." Gerald Haines, 93 from Barnet, north
London. "Gerald was the gentlest of souls. He was kind and loving to Joan,
his wife, Simon and Laura, his children, and Joseph, Luke, Tolly, Oliver and
Patrick, his grandsons." Gill Aristidou-Street, 61 from London. "A
wonderful friend, mother, wife. Taken too soon. She will be missed by so many.
My friend for 40 years. She was like a sister to me. My rock. RIP Gill." Mary
Oakland, 85 from Batley. "Taken too early. Such a special mum and grandma.
Forever loved and missed. We love you Mum." David Allan, 64 from
Edinburgh. "David was a true gentleman. His caring and kind nature,
throughout his life and work, affected so very many people. Happy and content,
he was a wonderful husband, uncle, brother and friend. He is loved and missed
so very much." Zillah Sowerby, 80 from Darlington. "A loving mother,
grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be dearly missed by her family, and
her daughter Jane, who misses her every day. God bless her." Arnie Riding,
74 from . "Lost my dad. He's left his wife Joanie, daughters Elaine and
Lisa, grandson Morgan, son-in-law Andy and lots of close family members
heartbroken." Marlene Bogle, 65 from Penge. "Came to London from
Jamaica as a 15-year-old and became an NHS nurse. Marlene was one in a million.
A caring and humble individual. She
^ This is a sad milestone. Every person
has a name, a story and a family. ^
