Many more Covid-19 deaths could be happening in care homes in Milton Keynes

The ONS today published its own figures for all deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.

This means people who have passed away in care homes or at their own homes are included, whereas the Public Health England tally only counts patients who have died in a hospital.

Nationally, the ONS data shows there were 6,235 deaths which involved coronavirus up until April 3. This compares to the government's figure of 4,093 deaths in hospitals at the same stage.

But the ONS statistics, which are not split into individual towns, still may not cover many victims who were never tested for Covid-19.

In MK, the number of people who have died at the hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 today stands at 53. This is an increase of three from yesterday.

It is understood that several care homes have suffered multiple deaths over the past month from residents showing Covid-19 symptoms. Not all of them have been tested though.

A source from MK Council has revealed one care home alone in MK has suffered nine deaths recently. Another sheltered housing community has suffered four.

"It is not 100 per cent clear if these are COVID 19 deaths," said the source. "What appears to be the case is that older people in care homes are not being sent to hospital and therefore are not being tested.".

The Guardian published an article yesterday claiming around half of all Covid-19 deaths appear to be happening in care homes in some European countries.

This was based on research from UK-based academics, who are warning that the same effort must be put into fighting the virus in care homes as in the NHS.

Data shows that in Italy, Spain, France, Ireland and Belgium between 42 per cent and 57 per cent of deaths from the virus have been happening in homes, according to a report by academics based at the London School of Economics (LSE).