UK Coronavirus Deaths Increase 596 In 24 Hours To 16,060

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The number of people who have died in UK hospitals after contracting coronavirus has risen to 16,060 – an increase of 596 over 24 hours.

The figures cover the period up to 5pm on Saturday, but the true number of deaths may be significantly different. Here’s a quick primer on what all the different numbers mean and how to understand them.

Meanwhile, as of 9am on Sunday, 372,967people have been tested for coronavirus, with 120,067 coming back positive.

NHS England announced 482 new coronavirus-related deaths bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 14,400.

Of the 482 new deaths announced today, 118 occurred on April 18, 243 occurred on April 17 and 62 occurred on April 16.

The figures also show 56 of the deaths took place between April 1 and April 15, and the remaining three deaths occurred in March, with the earliest new death taking place on March 20.

NHS England releases updated figures each day showing the dates of every coronavirus-related death in hospitals in England, often including previously uncounted deaths that took place several days or even weeks ago. This is because of the time it takes for deaths to be confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19, for post-mortem examinations to be processed, and for data from the tests to be validated.

The figures published today by NHS England show April 8 currently has the highest total for the most hospital deaths occurring on a single day – 801 – although this could change in future updates.

One person in Northern Ireland has died in a hospital setting with coronavirus in the past day, the Public Health Agency has said, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths in the region to 194.

Ten more people died in Scotland, bringing the total to 903, while Welsh health officials reported 41 new deaths, with a cumulative total of 575.