The number of people who died in the last week of 2022 was 20% higher than normal, harrowing figures reveal today - as the overstretched NHS battles a deadly wave of winter illnesses.
Latest data shows an alarming rise in people dying in their own homes - with over 680 more people dying at private addresses than would usually be expected in England and Wales.
Meanwhile hospital deaths were nearly 15% above the five-year average.
