UK becomes worst-hit coronavirus country in Europe

As official death toll tops 32,000, Britain overtakes Spain and Italy as the hardest-hit country from COVID-19; opposition blames PM Johnson for delayed actions to prevent spread of virus

Britain has reached the highest official death toll from coronavirus in Europe with more than 32,000 deaths, figures released on Tuesday showed.

The high death toll could increase political pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who waited longer than other European leaders to order a lockdown to curb the spread of the virus in March.

Weekly figures from Britain's national statistics office added more than 7,000 deaths in England and Wales, raising the total for the United Kingdom to 32,313.

The figure is one of several methods for calculating deaths and is difficult to compare with other countries, but it offers the clearest sign yet that Britain could emerge as the worst-hit country in Europe, despite being hit later than other countries.

Opposition parties have raised questions about Johnson's initial decision to delay a lockdown at a time when hospitals in Italy were already being overrun.

They also say his government was too slow to introduce mass testing and provide enough protective equipment to hospitals.

The true figure for deaths from coronavirus may be even higher. The Office of National Statistics said 33,593 more people had died than average up to April 24 in England and Wales, compared to 27,365 cases in which coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificates.

Comments

Nigerian govt has abandoned Kano – Ganduje

The Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has accused the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 of neglecting the state in its current battle against coronavirus spread. Mr Ganduje said this in an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Monday monitored by premium time He said, “We are in a serious problem. I can tell you the situation is really bad and scary. Because what we solely rely upon in fighting the disease is the testing centre. “This laboratory suspended its operation five or six days ago. There is also a shortage of sample collection equipment. It is not a common equipment that you can go and buy in the market. Those whose samples were collected are still waiting to know their fate.” The governor also noted that “the problem (is) with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. Even its Director General was in Kano. He spent a night there, but we have not heard from him again. The minister (of health) too knows the laboratory is not working. He added, “there is serious prob...

Bayern Munich 'make £35m bid for Manchester City star Leroy Sane - £11M LESS than he was signed for - after reaching an agreement on a five-year deal for the Germany winger'

Bayern Munich have made Manchester City an offer of £35million to sign Leroy Sane, according to reports. The winger has been a long-term target for the German giants and they were keen to bring him to the Allianz Arena last summer only for him to suffer a horror injury in the Community Shield. Sane has not played since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in that clash but he was back in training before the coronavirus shutdown. Bayern are hoping to take advantage of a potential fall in the transfer market to pay considerably less than the £88m they had earmarked for him last summer. According to German outlet Bild , they have agreed a contract with the 24-year-old – which had to happen again after he changed agents last season – and are now looking to come to terms with City. Bayern's opening bid of £35m is £11m less than City paid Schalke for Sane when they signed him in 2016. The Bavarian side have an advantage as Sane is heading into the final y...

JIOREX

Search This Blog