Britain records 553 hospital deaths from coronavirus on Christmas Day

Britain records 553 hospital deaths from coronavirus on Christmas Day compared to 403 a week ago

• Some 401 people have died from coronavirus in hospitals in England 
• Total number of deaths from coronavirus reported in hospitals is now at 48,150 
• Wales has recorded a further 63 deaths and Scotland recorded 56 today

Britain has recorded 553 hospital deaths from coronavirus on Christmas Day – compared to 403 a week ago. 

Another 401 people have died from coronavirus in hospitals in England, according to the latest data.

The total number of confirmed deaths reported in hospitals in now at 48,150 – as a new strain of coronavirus grips the nation. 

Another 401 people have died from coronavirus in hospitals in England, according to the latest data. Pictured, Matt Hancock revealing further restrictions on December 23

The number of people with coronavirus in England last week spiked to pre-second lockdown levels with almost 646,000 people carrying the illness

Coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate of 33 patients who died in hospitals in England, and none of the deaths were of people aged under 40. 

Wales has recorded a further 63 deaths in hospitals over the past 24 hours, taking the total to 3,263 with another 2,161 infections.

And Scotland has recorded 1,314 new cases and 56 deaths.

It comes as it was revealed one in every 85 people in England are now infected with coronavirus, half of them have caught the new super-infectious strain and cases in London have trebled in two weeks. 

But Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows the epidemic is being driven by southern regions, where the variant has become the dominant strain, with cases still falling of flattening in the North and Midlands, where it is yet to become widespread. 

Officials fear, however, it is only a matter of time before the mutant variant – which is up to 56 per cent more infectious than regular Covid and was first detected in Kent in September – becomes prevalent everywhere.

About two-thirds of people testing positive in London, the East and the South East, are thought to have the new variant, the ONS said. Nationally, the strain is thought to make up 50 per cent of infections.    

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