From my colleagues Niamh McIntyre and Tobi Thomas
The number of Covid-19 deaths in England and Wales continued to increase in the week ending 20 November, new ONS data shows.
There were 2,697 deaths due to coronavirus in week 47, up 9% on the previous week. The number of Covid deaths recorded has increased every week since early September.
However, the rate of the increase appears to be slowing, down from a 27% increase between week 45 and week 46.
Excess deaths – the number of deaths above the average for that week – remained higher than usual in hospitals, care homes and private homes. However, deaths in other locations were below the five-year average in week 47.
In Wales, there was a 17.4% increase of deaths involving coronavirus, with 223 deaths reported.
The north-west of England continues to have the largest number of coronavirus deaths, with the highest proportion of deaths seen in Yorkshire and the Humber.
The total Covid-19 death toll across England and Wales – including deaths registered after 20 November – now stands at 65,006.
