UK nears 52,000 deaths due to coronavirus pandemic: Tally

Death toll in the United Kingdom nears 52,000 on Wednesday, as per Reuters tally of official data sources. 

According to the new data released, the death toll in England and Wales stands at 51,766. This is the highest in Europe and the second highest globally just behind the United States. More than 400,000 people have been killed worldwide due to the virus. 

Also read: Amid increasing demand for puppies in the UK, breeders fear many will end up in rescue homes

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his administration have been criticised for delaying the lockdown which led to the spread of the virus in the country. 

The tally comprises of fatalities where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificates in the United Kingdom (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) up to May 29 and Scotland up to May 31. 

The tally compiled by Reuters gives more accurate figures as the government's daily death toll numbers don't include suspected cases. 

Initiatives by the British government have resulted in a decline in the daily death toll. The UK death toll for confirmed cases of COVID-19 rose by 55 to 40,597 on Monday, the lowest rise since a lockdown was imposed in March.

Coronavirus has infected over 7 million people globally, as per data from the Johns Hopkins University.

(Inputs by Reuters)