Registered deaths involving coronavirus in two regions of northern England are at their highest level since March, figures show.

A total of 218 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending July 16 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The North West was the area with the highest number of coronavirus deaths – 71 – about a third of the total registered that week.

This is the highest weekly total since the 106 deaths registered in the week ending March 26, during the second wave.

(PA Graphics)
(PA Graphics)

The North East saw 24 Covid-19 deaths registered in the week to July 16 – the highest since 35 deaths in the week to March 26.

Both areas have been badly affected by the third wave of coronavirus, with the North West and most recently the North East being regional hotspots for cases and hospital admissions.

The overall weekly total for registered coronavirus deaths is up 19% from the previous seven days and the third consecutive weekly rise.

It is more than double the 99 deaths registered three weeks ago, during the week ending June 25.

And it is the highest total since 260 deaths in the week to April 23.

The latest figures are likely to reflect the impact of the third wave of Covid-19, which began in the UK in May and has led to a sharp increase in the number of new cases of coronavirus as well as a smaller but steady rise in hospital patients.

The number of deaths is still well below the level seen at the peak of the second wave, however.

Some 27 care home resident deaths involving Covid-19 in England and Wales were registered in the week to July 16, up from 20 deaths in the previous week.

In total, 42,614 care home residents in England and Wales have had Covid-19 recorded on their death certificate since the pandemic began.

The ONS figures cover deaths of care home residents in all settings, not just in care homes.

A total of 154,661 deaths have now occurred in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, the ONS said.