UK Now Has the Highest COVID-19 Death Toll in Europe

The U.K. currently has the highest coronavirus death rate in Europe as new data shows that more than 30,000 people have died due to the disease.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 29,648 deaths from COVID-19 have been reported in England and Wales as of May 2.

With the addition of fatalities in Scotland and Northern Island, the tally rises to 32,313. 

The U.K. was placed in lockdown last March 23. According to U.K.'s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, there is a possibility that lockdown measures could last into June. 

"We know it is rough going at this time," Raab said during a press briefing on April 16. "Every time I come to this lectern and I read out the grim toll of people who so sadly passed away, I walk away from here and I think about what their sons and daughters must be going through right now, their brothers, sisters, grandchildren, all the loved ones left behind with the unbearable life-changing, long-term grief.  

"It makes this government focus even harder on what we must do and I know that together, united, we must keep up this national effort."

The U.K. has overtaken Italy as the hardest-hit country in Europe. To date, Italy has reported 29,079 fatalities caused by the disease.

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