Sheffield's weekly Covid-19 infection rate rises as UK records highest death toll since May

The weekly infection rate of coronavirus has risen again in Sheffield as the UK recorded its highest daily Covid-19 death toll since May.
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It comes as fears were raised of the second wave being more deadly than the first.

With total deaths involving the virus reaching 61,000 across the nation, Downing Street did not deny a projection provided by Government scientists which suggested the toll could remain high throughout the winter and result in more fatalities than in the spring.

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The Telegraph reported the analysis shared by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) has lead to intense lobbying from experts including chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Valance to take more drastic action.

A general view of the entrance of the Northern General Hospital - Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)A general view of the entrance of the Northern General Hospital - Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
A general view of the entrance of the Northern General Hospital - Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

A Government spokeswoman said ministers were receiving advice from a “wide range of scientific and medical experts” and that the latest figures are “concerning”.

The Sun also reported Sage analysis suggests the highest level of restrictions, Tier 3, may be needed across all of England by mid-December.

On Tuesday, the Government said that a further 367 people died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19, while there were another 22,885 lab-confirmed cases of the virus.

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The number of deaths is the highest daily figure since May 27, when 422 deaths were reported.

Sheffield’s infection figure yesterday stood at 466.4 per 100,000 people with 2728 new cases reported this week.

This is up from 416.0 per 100,000 people the week before and 2433 new cases. It also up from the previous day’s figure of 463.9 per 100,000 people and 2713 new cases/

The figures, for the seven days to October 23, are based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).

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The rate is expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people.

Data for the most recent four days (October 24-27) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

Blackburn with Darwen continues to have the highest rate in England, with 1,176 new cases recorded in the seven days to October 23 – the equivalent of 785.6 cases per 100,000 people.

This is up from 526.4 cases per 100,000 in the seven days to October 16.