Just 388 people aged under 60 with no underlying health conditions have died of Covid-19 in England’s hospitals since the start of the pandemic, NHS data has showed.
The figures show that 1,979 previously healthy people died in hospitals in England after testing positive for Covid-19 between April 2 and December 23.
Just 338 of these people were aged 40 to 59, with another 44 aged between 20 and 39, and just six under the age of 19, according to the data.
Meanwhile 45,770 deaths were recorded among those with pre-existing conditions, of which 21 were aged under 20, 263 were between 20 and 39 and 2,926 were aged between 40 and 59.
The figures show that 1,979 previously healthy people died in hospitals in England after testing positive for Covid-19 between April 2 and December 23. Just 338 of these people were aged 40 to 59, with another 44 aged between 20 and 39, and just six under the age of 19, according to the data
The data, which was recorded up until December 23, stated 1,911 people had died in hospitals in England after testing positive for Covid-19. Pictured: Health worker on the intensive care unit (ICU) at Whiston Hospital in Merseyside
Former Brexit MEP Claire Fox tweeted that the statistics are ‘tragic’ but restrictions should be eased because people think that the ‘virus [is a] mortal threat for all’.
Pointing to statistics released up until December 16, she tweeted: ‘Only 377 people under 60 without preexisting conditions have died of COVID in Eng. Tragic but when I’ve stated this as fact, often disbelieved.
‘Such is fear, people think far more, that virus mortal threat for all. IMO restrictions on ALL can mean less focus on those most at risk.’
The UK reported 30,501 new COVID-19 cases today, with a daily toll of 316 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test, government statistics showed
Pre-existing health conditions include terminal illnesses such as cancer and heart disease but also include asthma, diabetes and obesity.
MP for Harborough Neil O’Brien argued: ‘The below is wrong at several levels. In England and Wales, 65,000 aged 65+ have died with it, plus over 7,400 working age people.
‘Many had prior medical conditions, but we don’t hold their lives to be valueless because Britain isn’t a fascist state.’
Many said the statistics supported the idea that people under 60 could live without Covid restrictions, while those most at risk are subject to constraints.
But Dr Dominic Pimenta, chairman of the Healthcare Workers’ Foundation, said the statistics were misleading because the ‘pre-existing conditions’ category is broad and can range from trivial issues to life-threatening illnesses.
He said: ‘In England and Wales alone there have been over 7,400 Covid deaths in the under 65s, and nearly 8,600 excess deaths compared to the five-year average.’
He added: ‘With a vaccine already here, those still arguing for mass infection and protecting those at risk is neither practical or ethical, nor economically or scientifically literate.’
The next tier review is on December 30 and infections continue to climb and hospital admissions increase. Pictured are Boxing Day shoppers in Tier 3 Nottingham
Meanwhile Dr Phil Hammond said: ‘This is an NHSE statistic. Alas 15 million people in the UK have at least one chronic condition & it’s impossible to shield so many people whilst allowing those at lower risk to roam free.
‘It’s also true that there are massive non Covid harms & no easy answers. But vaccines help.’
A further 301 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospitals in England and Wales, public health bodies have confirmed.
There were 231 deaths in England, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported in hospitals to 48,542, NHS England said on Sunday.
Patients were aged between 30 and 103. All except five, aged between 36 and 85, had known underlying health conditions.
The deaths were between December 9 and 26.
There were 10 other deaths reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.