Coronavirus Explained: why is the UK COVID-19 death toll so high?

The UK coronavirus death toll could be 40% higher than has been reported, shock new figures published today reveal.

New stats show there were 13,121 deaths in England and Wales up to April 10 - compared to the 9,288 announced at the time.

The UK has seen some of the highest numbers of death of people with COVID-19 in the world.

So, why is Britain suffering such a high toll?

Here to answer that and more is Dr Hilary Jones, TV’s most-trusted medic.
In today’s episode of Ask Dr Hilary Coronavirus Explained:

- Are there more men or women hospitalised due to the virus in the UK?

- Can you catch the virus by walking past people? For example, in supermarkets?

- What major stages are necessary before a vaccine is available for mass production?

- Are minority ethnic groups more susceptible to COVID19 ?

- What precautions should be taken with delivered goods?

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[alfresco]

One reason why the death rate is so high is that critical patients are put on ventilators instead of given oxygen masks. Medical experts say that ventilators are unsuitable for non pneumonia cases and are more likely to kill than to cure. Old habits die hard, unfortunately, even in 21st century medicine. What ICUs should be using are machines called CPAP - continuous positive airway pressure - which deliver oxygen in non-invasive way.

[mikeh]

Why are the people dying in care homes not being admitted to hospital where they could get proper medical care?

[nattyco]

The Government knew weeks before the epidemic hit us that the elderly and frail were particularly vulnerable, so why didn't they include Care Homes and their Carers in their forward planning?

[Stoater]

I would question the Doctor's claim that MEN are more likely to be overweight than WOMEN.
That is not what I see when out and about but I could be wrong.

[importedmusic]

Epidemiologists are saying the infection death rate is comparable with that of seasonal flu.

[upeliozmogus]

All these liars should end up in prison.

[johnnyourtobadoioi]

Is Hilary a real doctor, or just a government mouthpiece?.

[paulbth]

Because it’s a sham it’s like putting Tuesday on the death certificate if you die on a Tuesday

[darrenhawkins]

Dr Hillary I say what I'm told to say jones

[pollutingpenguin]

The level of denial in the UK on how they have completely bungled the handling of this virus is unreal.

[templarknight]

The practice of reporting deaths as Covid related if the patients have had a temperature over 38 in the past 14days should be stopped. It's not accurate and adding unnecessary fear to peoples lives.

[grrinc]

No one is dying of flu all of a sudden. Strange.

[Puddlesmolly]

Great news though, not one person has had the Flu Bug this year. Think about it.

[lunes-]

Could this person be a little bit untrustworthy? or is just me?😷

[monkey-man]

Dr Hilary used to be the TV doctor on This Morning or another morning show. I would not think he was any more qualified than the next GP.

[dr.drakeramoray]

this was so politically correct it made me gay and dyed my color lime. is it so damn hard to even assume that black people make less vitamin d? also im not sure about the 5g question but ive seen different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation impact immunity negatively, so you might wanna rule that out as well before you start calling people names

[lv-media]

LOL the reason our death rate is so high is because Doris faffed, stumbled, and messed up by not bothering to do what was meant to be done in a timely manner. Saying its down to how we collect stats is utter rubbish

[Peter-nvwu]

High death rate ? It's far higher than we are being told ! As for the death rate being so high, it's because of our government failing the NHS over many years, the only reason there have not been far more deaths is because of the dedication and extremely hard work of all the staff working in our NHS !

[lostinpa-dadenduro]

The CDC released age breakdown numbers of the people who have died from this in USA. From Feb 1 to April 18th: 3 deaths age 15 and under. 20 deaths age 25 and under. 510 deaths age 45 and under. There are 190 million people in the US age 45 and under. Almost all deaths age 65 and older. In other words, exactly what you would expect from a serious flu strain. It’s posted on the CDC web site. Go look for yourself.

[hybridmm]

Simples Because we didn’t act fast enough, in fact the whole globe didn’t act fast enough!
Next stupid question?