THE number of Covid deaths in care homes are at their highest levels since the end of April, new figures show.

There were 2,364 deaths of care home residents involving Covid-19 in the week ending January 22 in England and Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This includes residents who died in care homes, hospitals and other settings.

This is up 37.5 per cent from the previous week, and is the highest weekly number since the week ending May 1.

It comes after two known Covid outbreaks in care homes in Basingstoke, which saw a number of residents pass away.

At least twenty two people have passed away since the beginning of January at Pemberley House Care Home in Viables, with an unknown number dying at Marnel Lodge in Popley.

The latest weekly figure is also more than three times the 745 care home resident deaths registered in the week ending December 31.

A total of 33,215 care home residents in England and Wales have now had Covid-19 recorded on their death certificate, the ONS said.

Separate Care Quality Commission data shows it was notified of 2,357 deaths of care home residents involving Covid-19 in the week ending January 29.

This is similar to the 2,366 notifications it received in the week ending January 22.

Overall, there were 8,422 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending January 22 where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

This is up 16.2 per cent from the 7,245 deaths in the week to January 15.

Nearly half (45.1 per cent) of all deaths registered in England and Wales in the week to January 22 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate – the highest proportion recorded during the pandemic.

The latest weekly total is the second highest number recorded since the pandemic began, exceeded by the week ending April 24.

All regions of England recorded an increase in registered Covid-19 deaths in the week to January 22, the ONS said.

Three regions saw more than 1,000 Covid-19 deaths registered, including south east England, which saw 1,734 deaths – the highest weekly total since the pandemic began.