UK COVID-19 death toll tops 47,000 as pressure heaps on PM Johnson

[snoop1130]

UK COVID-19 death toll tops 47,000 as pressure heaps on PM Johnson

By Andy Bruce

 

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a daily news conference with Public Health England's (PHE) Medical Director Yvonne Doyle (not pictured), on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain May 25, 2020. Andrew Parsons/10 Downing Street/Handout via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - The United Kingdom’s COVID-19 death toll surpassed 47,000 on Tuesday, a dire human cost that could define the premiership of Boris Johnson.

 

The Office for National Statistics said 42,173 people had died in England and Wales with suspected COVID-19 as of May 15, bringing the UK total to 47,343 - which includes earlier data from Scotland, Northern Ireland, plus recent hospital deaths in England.

 

A death toll of nearly 50,000 underlined Britain’s status as one of the worst-hit countries in a pandemic that has killed at least 345,400 worldwide.

 

Johnson, already under fire for his handling of the pandemic, has had to defend his top adviser Dominic Cummings who drove 250 miles from London to access childcare when Britons were being told to stay at home to fight COVID-19.

 

One Johnson’s junior ministers, Douglas Ross, resigned on Tuesday in protest. Johnson has stood by Cummings, saying the aide had followed the “instincts of every father”.

 

The government says that while it may have made some mistakes it is grappling with the biggest public health crisis since the 1918 influenza outbreak and that it has ensured the health service was not overwhelmed.

 

Unlike the daily death toll published by the government, Tuesday’s figures include suspected cases and confirmed cases of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

But even these figures underestimate the true number of deaths.

 

In March, Britain’s chief scientific adviser said keeping deaths below 20,000 would be a “good outcome”. In April, Reuters reported the government’s worst-case scenario was 50,000 deaths.

 

Disease experts are watching the total number of deaths that exceed the usual for amount for the time of year, an approach that is internationally comparable.

 

The early signs suggest Britain is faring badly here too.

 

Excess deaths are now approaching 60,000 across the UK, ONS statistician Nick Stripe said, citing the latest data - a toll equivalent to the populations of historic cities like Canterbury and Hereford.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-26

 

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[bkk_mike]

First, Cummings goes in to work after his wife is showing symptoms. (Breaking a lockdown rule)

Then, he drives his ill wife and his child 260 miles to his parent's spare guest house. (Breaking at least one more lockdown rule)

Then he comes down with the virus himself.

And when he and his wife recover, they celebrate her birthday by going on a day trip to the town of Barnard Castle. (Breaking yet another lockdown rule)

 

And this is just the stuff he's admitting to...

 

And if you want to see how badly the UK is doing, the Euromomo site collects death statistics in some countries in Europe and has a thing it calls the Z-score, which is excess deaths (i.e. simple - no nonsense - how many more people are dying than average as of a couple of weeks ago without any of the not counting of people that weren't tested, or differences in how you count people that don't die in hospital, etc.) - all based on straightforward death statistics from the countries or states covered.

Edited May 27, 2020 by bkk_mike

[nobodysfriend]

British politicians underestimated the danger the virus represents from the beginning .

It is the ' normal people ' who pay the price for that .

 

[spidermike007]

I am seeing 37,000 as a total. Is this number correct? UK, is already number two. But that is an extraordinary number. Of course nowhere near the crazy US numbers. But, they are the world leaders!

[gamini]

49 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I am seeing 37,000 as a total. Is this number correct? UK, is already number two. But that is an extraordinary number. Of course nowhere near the crazy US numbers. But, they are the world leaders!

Singapore is the worst affected country in the world on a per capita basis. It doesn't surprise me having lived there for 15 years. It success relies on vast army of migrant workers. Poorly paid living in cramped quarters. 

[Pedrogaz]

Both Johnson and Trump have done a lousy job in this emergency. The Cummings thing is way overblown....he's a senior person in the government ordinary laws don't apply to him as we see every day on all countries around the world. He caused no one any harm, so get over your selves and let him get on with his job.

[Rookiescot]

26 minutes ago, gamini said:

Singapore is the worst affected country in the world on a per capita basis. It doesn't surprise me having lived there for 15 years. It success relies on vast army of migrant workers. Poorly paid living in cramped quarters. 

San Marino and Qatar far worse than Singapore. Indeed even Spain is worse.

 

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

[Rookiescot]

3 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

Both Johnson and Trump have done a lousy job in this emergency. The Cummings thing is way overblown....he's a senior person in the government ordinary laws don't apply to him as we see every day on all countries around the world. He caused no one any harm, so get over your selves and let him get on with his job.

Given the statistics it would appear that neither of them is very good at their job.

[473geo]

Very few are wearing masks when out and about in supermarkets in the UK, many pensioners out shopping, my neighbour is in her late seventies down to the supermarket a couple of times a week for little more than a newspaper, Creatures of habit the UK elderly unfortunately, many stubbornly reject instruction to make change. My neighbour is still hanging towards the 'its just the same as annual flu' nothing to worry about stance, and the if I get it so what approach!

Governments can only do so much, the attitude and acceptance of the nation is also key to keeping the death rate down

 

 

[Jonnapat]

Johnson dithered, probably being advised by Cummings until too late.

Exactly the same outcome as the USA. 

Many deaths could have been avoided by the swift action taken by many other countries,  particularly those with female leaders as figures now prove.

Shame on both Johnson and Trump. Both countries deserve better leadership. 

[natway09]

The two "funny hair guys" have both handled this very badly & should be ashamed of themselves

[chilly07]

Cummings evil influence has wrecked the UK's economy by lying to the UK's gullible electorate throughout referendum and general election to foist a puppet on the public that he controls. He advised on 'Herd Immunity' and delayed lockdown. He illegaly  prorogued Parliament. He infected the Cabinet then ran away illegaly to avoid the consequences several times. This man should be locked up to avoid any further damage to the UK

[Ayemanomad]

22 minutes ago, Jonnapat said:

Johnson dithered, probably being advised by Cummings until too late.

Exactly the same outcome as the USA. 

Many deaths could have been avoided by the swift action taken by many other countries,  particularly those with female leaders as figures now prove.

Shame on both Johnson and Trump. Both countries deserve better leadership. 

Johnson was swayed by the flawed Neil Ferguson model projection and like Cummings, he didn't adhere to his own advice. He went and so should Cummings.

[puipuitom]

3 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

British politicians underestimated the danger the virus represents from the beginning .

It is the ' normal people ' who pay the price for that .

 

Those nomal people OVERWHELMINGLY - seen the UK system with "the winner takes it all" - voted for this always lying P.M. with ZERO interests in details.. Whiffle, whaffle, whiffle whaffle... And as so often in history... it's another, who does the jhob, the real PM, Mr Dominic Cummings, acting in fact as P.M. 

My condolances... with your stupidity...

[puipuitom]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I am seeing 37,000 as a total. Is this number correct? UK, is already number two. But that is an extraordinary number. Of course nowhere near the crazy US numbers. But, they are the world leaders!

37,000 with a 65 million inhabitants or 98,000 with 300 mln inh: YOU, the UK, are the world's winner... by neglection the corona virus when YOU still had time.

[superal]

8 minutes ago, chilly07 said:

Cummings evil influence has wrecked the UK's economy by lying to the UK's gullible electorate throughout referendum and general election to foist a puppet on the public that he controls. He advised on 'Herd Immunity' and delayed lockdown. He illegaly  prorogued Parliament. He infected the Cabinet then ran away illegaly to avoid the consequences several times. This man should be locked up to avoid any further damage to the UK

DC employed by BJ as an out of the box highly intelligent thinker . DC got involved with the SAGE meetings and influenced their thinking / strategy and insisted on the herd community knowing full well the outcome would result in 250,000 deaths in the UK minimum .    Fellow scientists stopped it and reverted to the lock down but by then the virus was everywhere .  BJ really just the mouthpiece who has to follow the advice .

For me BJ needs to be rid of DC in order to try to retain his credibility 

[473geo]

38 minutes ago, Jonnapat said:

Johnson dithered, probably being advised by Cummings until too late.

Exactly the same outcome as the USA. 

Many deaths could have been avoided by the swift action taken by many other countries,  particularly those with female leaders as figures now prove.

Shame on both Johnson and Trump. Both countries deserve better leadership. 

You think it's a coincidence that two countries where people are seen actively protesting for freedom of rights and less government 'controls' have a higher death rate

[puipuitom]

1 hour ago, gamini said:

Singapore is the worst affected country in the world on a per capita basis. It doesn't surprise me having lived there for 15 years. It success relies on vast army of migrant workers. Poorly paid living in cramped quarters. 

Again a Brit, who cannot read nor calculate: Singapore: 23 deaths tested + confirmed with 32.343 confirmed infected and 16.444 recovered of the virus with over million inhabitants... https://www.bing.com/search?q=corona+deaths+Singapore&cvid=09d5c338aecd4d73b0381896e46696a5&FORM=ANSPA1&PC=U531

UK: 37.048 tested + confirmed deaths and 265.227 confirmed infected and ZERO recovered with 67,85 mln inh. 

Atleast something you British are the best of the world...

 

Edited May 27, 2020 by puipuitom

[Traubert]

Out of pensioners yet Boris? No?

 

Give us a shout when we're down to the last handful.

[puipuitom]

2 minutes ago, 473geo said:

You think it's a coincidence that two countries where people are seen actively protesting for freedom of rights and less government 'controls' have a higher death rate

Nr 3 = Brazil.  Same moron al government leader.

[puipuitom]

28 minutes ago, superal said:

DC employed by BJ as an out of the box highly intelligent thinker . DC got involved with the SAGE meetings and influenced their thinking / strategy and insisted on the herd community knowing full well the outcome would result in 250,000 deaths in the UK minimum .    Fellow scientists stopped it and reverted to the lock down but by then the virus was everywhere .  BJ really just the mouthpiece who has to follow the advice .

For me BJ needs to be rid of DC in order to try to retain his credibility 

Time you get rid of both... Quite some politicians were executed after WO2 for causing less deaths and economic damage in their country.

The Dutch PM was unable to visit his dying mother because he obeyed coronavirus care home rules.

 

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/dutch-pm-unable-visit-dying-22089288

Edited May 27, 2020 by puipuitom

[473geo]

1 minute ago, puipuitom said:

Nr 3 = Brazil.  Same moron al government leader.

You think it is coincidence that two countries where people are seen actively protesting for freedom of rights and less government 'controls' have a higher death rate?

 

[vogie]

He listened to his experts, you know the ones. "Ministers need to follow the experts!!! OK, we'll do that" No, not those experts! The other experts!!!" "OK, which other experts then" The right experts!!!! "OK and who are they" "No idea! That's your job! You're the expert!!!"

 

[sawadee1947]

4 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

British politicians underestimated the danger the virus represents from the beginning .

It is the ' normal people ' who pay the price for that .

 

The British got what they were voting for 

A clown, a loser, a liar, not capable to manage a severe crisis, apparently not the brightest candle on the cake. 

Good Luck Little Britain. ????

[Baerboxer]

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I am seeing 37,000 as a total. Is this number correct? UK, is already number two. But that is an extraordinary number. Of course nowhere near the crazy US numbers. But, they are the world leaders!

 

I think the UK includes all Covid and suspected Covid related. deaths reported. Some other nations are apparently a little bit selective on what they include.

 

One of the things, when this is over and real investigations begin, is an establishment of correct figures and uniform reporting. The study into why different countries experienced such different results will be mega. There are already plenty of hypothesis to validate or invalidate.

[Baerboxer]

3 hours ago, sawadee1947 said:

The British got what they were voting for 

A clown, a loser, a liar, not capable to manage a severe crisis, apparently not the brightest candle on the cake. 

Good Luck Little Britain. ????

 

Yes, because the French President, Russian President/PM, Chinese President for Life, the Italian PM, the Brazilian President have all done sooooooo much better.

[Mama Noodle]

1 minute ago, Baerboxer said:

Yes, because the French President, Russian President/PM, Chinese President for Life, the Italian PM, the Brazilian President have all done sooooooo much better.

 

Yep, its laughable how people who hate a certain group of politicians are so eager to hang anything they can around their necks even if it involves putting horse-blinders on and ignoring how most other countries are fairing. Its a global pandemic, not every country is as transparent as western nations when it comes to testing and releasing data for the public etc... 

Seems sometimes that western nations pay a certain price for testing and accounting for the virus. 

[Baerboxer]

3 hours ago, puipuitom said:

Time you get rid of both... Quite some politicians were executed after WO2 for causing less deaths and economic damage in their country.

The Dutch PM was unable to visit his dying mother because he obeyed coronavirus care home rules.

 

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/dutch-pm-unable-visit-dying-22089288

 

The Dutch PM didn't visit his dying mother. Didn't feel he's an elite above the rules.

 

A British MP, and shadow Foreign Office Minister, visited his dad, a former British opposition leader and EU commissioner, and his mam, a former long term MEP, with his wife a former PM of Denmark, so they could sing happy birthday to his dad! Clearly, they feel above the law. He was shamed by his local Police Force. But he hasn't apologized, shown any remorse, been hounded by the press, had any negative comments from his Political Party Leader, or felt the wrath of public opinion. So it seems their self opinionated elitism is right.

 

2 more MP's also broke the lockdown without valid reasons, and I Welsh Assembly member did. Like their birthday singing colleague, non have apologized, shown any remorse or suffered public anger and rent-a-crowd protesters with placards.

 

I despair for the UK. 

[yuyiinthesky]

4 hours ago, Jonnapat said:

Johnson dithered, probably being advised by Cummings until too late.

Exactly the same outcome as the USA. 

Many deaths could have been avoided by the swift action taken by many other countries,  particularly those with female leaders as figures now prove.

Shame on both Johnson and Trump. Both countries deserve better leadership. 

Johnson should have followed the examples set by Taiwan, South Korea and Japan - no lockdowns and all under control.

[transam]

3 hours ago, sawadee1947 said:

The British got what they were voting for 

A clown, a loser, a liar, not capable to manage a severe crisis, apparently not the brightest candle on the cake. 

Good Luck Little Britain. ????

May I correct you, it's Great Britain or United Kingdom, your "Little Britain is a TV program.

 

As for having a pop at Boris, well he has got us out of the disastrous EU thing, which all thought would be a problem.

Do you come from that disastrous EU thingy.....?  ????