Britain has highest excess deaths
Britain has suffered the highest proportion of excess deaths across Europe during the coronavirus crisis, figures suggest.
Around 55,000 more Britons than normal have died in 2020, up nearly 70 per cent compared to the five-year average by May 8.
A quarter of these deaths were not officially attributed to COVID-19 but experts say excess fatalities paint a much clearer picture of the outbreak.
This is because they capture victims who may have not been diagnosed, as well as deaths that that resulted from a lack of access to healthcare and suicides.
Belgium has been the second worst-hit European country, with 9,000 excess deaths by May 3 – 57 per cent higher than average, according to the Financial Times.
Spain's deaths are up 44 per cent compared to the five year a...