DEATHS in hospitals accounted for more than two thirds of the deaths due to Covid in Colchester.

Figures show in Colchester 468 deaths involving Covid-19 had been provisionally registered up to Friday.

Of these, 333 were in hospitals and 108 in care homes, while 20 occurred in private homes and six in hospices. There was also one death elsewhere.

It means deaths outside hospital settings accounted for 29 per cent of the overall toll.

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The figures include deaths which occurred up to March 4 which were registered up to eight days later.

The deadliest week of the pandemic so far came in the seven days to January 22, 2021, when 45 people died in Colchester.

The deaths in the area were among 17,977 registered across the east of England up to March 12, and 159,419 across England.

Charity Marie Curie is commemorating tomorrow – two years after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the first UK-wide lockdown – as a national day of reflection.

A minute’s silence will be held at midday to commemorate the day, and people are being encouraged to shine a light at 8pm or display flowers in their window to show support.