There were 56,308 excess deaths in England and Wales between March 21 and May 22 the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media that there have been 62,000 deaths in the UK during the coronavirus outbreak above what would normally be expected according to statistics released as the government diverges from the scientific advice and begins to dismantle a lockdown that has delivered a reduction in the loss of life.

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 Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

It follows figures last week showing the equivalent numbers for Scotland and Northern Ireland, which, when added together, take the total number of excess deaths in the UK across this period to 61,795.