A total of 2,697 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending 20 November mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, according to an ONS report.

It is the highest number of coronavirus-related deaths since the week ending 15 May.

The latest data published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) also reveals it is a rise from the 2,466 deaths recorded in the week to 13 November – a jump of 9%.

Just over a fifth (21.5%) of all deaths registered in England and Wales in the week to 20 November mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate.

The number of deaths involving coronavirus in the same week increased in all English regions except the East of England, while the number of deaths in Wales increased from 190 to 223 – above the five-year average.

The North West of England recorded 629 COVID-19-related fatalities, making it the highest number for the region since the week ending 1 May, ONS figures showed.

Meanwhile, 481 coronavirus deaths were registered in Yorkshire and Humber – again, the highest for the region since the week to 1 May.

The figures come after the UK recorded a further 12,330 coronavirus cases and 205 deaths on Monday.

The number of infections is a slight rise from the 12,155 new cases seen on Sunday – with the number of fatalities falling slightly from 215.

Speaking at a Downing Street conference on Monday, health secretary Matt Hancock said England’s lockdown means “we’ve got this virus back under control“.

However, he warned continued vigilance is needed in the fight against COVID-19 and acknowledged that England’s second lockdown has been tough.

He also stressed the need for a return to the tiered system, saying that “while we can let up a little, we can’t afford to let up a lot”.

Earlier, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said the Welsh government lifted restrictions “too expansively” and that he was confident there will not be another national lockdown in England.

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He added: “As a result of doing that the virus once more got out of control, so they’ve had to slam the brakes on again.

“That’s one of the reasons why we’re exiting the lockdown cautiously [in England].”

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