UK passes ‘terrible’ milestone of 20,000 coronavirus hospital deaths

LONDON: The United Kingdom has passed the grim milestone of over 20,000 coronavirus deaths after 813 new hospital deaths were recorded on Saturday.

The United Kingdom has the fifth-highest official coronavirus death toll in the world, after the United States, Italy, Spain, and France. Earlier in March, the government’s chief scientific adviser said that keeping the death toll below 20,000 would be a ‘good outcome’.

Speaking at the daily media briefing on Saturday, Interior Minister Priti Patel said, “As the deaths caused by this terrible virus pass another tragic and terrible milestone, the entire nation is grieving.”

She further said, “Our instruction remains clear, people should stay at home, protect the NHS (National Health Service) and save lives.”

“We know that people are frustrated but we are not out of danger. It is imperative that we continue to follow the rules,” the interior minister added.

The government is facing growing criticism over its response to the new coronavirus pandemic as the death toll rises.

UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson is still recovering after falling seriously ill with coronavirus earlier this month and in his absence, government ministers have been struggling to explain high death rates.

The total number of deaths is likely to be thousands higher with the addition of more comprehensive but lagging figures that include deaths in nursing homes.