London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

UK Covid death toll passes 60,000 for the first time

UK Covid death toll passes 60,000 for the first time

The total number of deaths across the UK linked to the novel coronavirus has now hit 61,116, according to figures reported by the three main health agencies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The number of Covid deaths in England and Wales has doubled every fortnight, up from 139 in September to 321 two weeks later and, now, 670 on Tuesday. The number of coronavirus deaths in the UK rose by 60 percent in the week of October 16.

Coronavirus deaths in the UK still remain lower than at the peak of the first wave back in March/April when the country recorded more than 9,400 fatalities in a single week.

The tragic milestone comes as a team at Imperial College London found that the number of people who tested positive for protective antibodies has fallen by 26 percent between June and September. The researchers said that this “rapid” deterioration in immunity to the virus could require any successful vaccine to be given twice a year.

The Deputy First Minister of Scotland John Swinney has warned that, given the rising number of coronavirus cases in the country, students could be told to not return home at Christmas, as “if the virus is not contained then we may not be able to support the return of students to their homes.”

To prevent a similar situation, England is looking at whether rapid tests could be used to allow more than a million students to travel home from their term-time accommodation. UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has also proposed ending in-person teaching early to create a two week buffer ahead of the holidays in order to minimize risk.

Professor Wendy Barclay, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has warned that the only way to contain the spread of the virus across the UK is by implementing a full lockdown, similar to the ‘firebreak’ lockdown in Wales. In a conversation with Times Radio, Barclay praised the success of the lockdown as “enough to turn the tide and get the virus back under control,” while “none of the other actions seem to have done that.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×