There were 670 Covid-19 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week to 16 October, new data from the ONS revealed.
This is an increase of 53% on the previous week, when 438 deaths were reported, and indicates that the widespread rise in new coronavirus cases seen in recent months is leading to a rise in fatalities.
It means the number of deaths registered in England and Wales continues to double every fortnight, from 139 in the week ending 18 September, to 321 two weeks later, and 670 today.
Deaths involving Covid-19 in hospitals as a proportion of all deaths in hospitals increased from 8.4% in week 41 to 12.0% in week 42.
Covid-19 deaths increased across all English regions but were highest in the north-west, with 229 deaths.
The numbers of deaths from all causes in hospitals remained below the five-year average, but deaths in private homes remained high, with 776 excess deaths. Care homes reported 90 more deaths than the 5-year average.
