BRITAIN’S death toll from coronavirus is nearing 50,000, confirming that the country is one of the worst hit globally, official figures revealed today.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) release takes number of deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK to just under 50,000.

Death registrations in England and Wales, Scotland and the north of Ireland show 48,896 deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, including suspected cases.

A further 819 hospital patients in England who had tested positive for Covid-19 died between May 23 and 31, according to figures published on Monday by NHS England, indicating the overall death toll for the UK is now just over 49,700.

There were 56,308 excess deaths in England and Wales between March 21 and May 22, compared with the average number of deaths for that period over five years, the ONS said, and earlier figures for Scotland and the north of Ireland take the total number of excess deaths in the UK in this period to 61,795.

More than twice the number of people with learning disabilities died between April 10 and May 15 compared with the same period last year, according to the Care Quality Commission’s analysis of the ONS stats. 

During the five-week period, 386 people with learning disabilities or autism died while receiving care, the regulator said, up 134 per cent compared with 2019.

Of the deaths, 206 involved suspected or confirmed Covid-19. 

The commission said its findings should be considered when decisions are made over prioritising tests. 

Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) spokeswoman Linda Burnip told the Star: “People with these impairments have been largely ignored by government and many have had DNRs [“do not resuscitate” orders] slapped on them as their lives are considered to be of so little value to boosting the profits of capitalists.

“In both care home and community settings, staff have been left without protective wear, people tested positive for Covid have been sent into residential homes and hospital admissions have been refused. 

“This can only be considered as genocide by decree.”

People with disabilities were previously told to self-isolate until June 30 but are now being told they no longer need to do so as the lockdown “has been lifted far too soon,” Ms Burnip said.

This is “simply because no value is placed on our lives and we are viewed as expendable.” 

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said it was working to improve understanding of how different groups may be affected by the virus to ensure the “best support” can be provided.