January's daily UK Covid death toll averages more than 1,000, figures show
January 30, 2021, 12:19 pm

January's daily UK Covid death toll averages more than 1,000, figures show

One year after the first Covid known death took place, the overall death toll, including all mentions of coronavirus on death certificates, has passed 120,000

Confirmation of deadliest month of pandemic comes a year after the UK recorded its first Covid death

More than 1,000 people in the UK have died of Covid on average each day in January, making it the deadliest month of the pandemic so far by the government’s count, with more than 28,000 deaths as of Thursday.

Saturday marks the first anniversary of when the UK recorded its first coronavirus death, which occurred on 30 January 2020.

A total of 28,171 deaths occurred in the UK between 1 and 28 January, 1,006 deaths a day, according to the government’s count of Covid deaths occurring within 28 days of a positive test. The previous highest monthly death toll was recorded in April at the height of the first wave: 24,070 deaths, an average of 802 deaths a day.

Subsequent data released by the Office for National Statistics showed that, when all mentions of Covid were counted, the true April death toll was 33,754 but, because of a time lag to allow for all deaths to be registered, it will be some weeks before equivalent data becomes available for January.One year after the first known Covid death took place, the overall death toll, including all mentions of coronavirus on death certificates, has passed 120,000.

This count is reached by taking the latest figures from the UK’s statistical agencies, which are up to date to 15 January in England and Wales (98,450 deaths), to 22 January in Northern Ireland (2,355) and to 24 January in Scotland (7,902), a total of 108,707 deaths.

Added to that are any Covid fatalities for which the date of death has occurred after those dates in each nation as per the government dashboard, bringing the death count to 121,381.

Karl Friston, a professor of imaging neuroscience at University College London and panellist on the Independent Sage group, said the total number of deaths was “likely to far exceed the number seen during the first wave”.

He said the rate at which deaths decline was likely to be slower and fluctuate. He said: “In short, it seems as if the current resurgence will, on the one hand, not attain the peak fatality rates of the first wave; however, it is likely to be more protracted and deadly. The actual trajectory will depend sensitively on sociobehavioural responses (eg opening schools) and the efficacy of vaccination.”

The UK reached 50,000 deaths on 23 May, just short of two months after the country’s first national lockdown. It took a further six months for the UK Covid-19 death toll to pass 75,000 on 26 November but less than a month and half for the death toll to reach 100,000 on 7 January.

The England death toll to 28 January now stands at 25,425, which is 18% higher than its April toll. Northern Ireland also recorded its highest monthly death count in January, at 470, 41% higher than the 334 recorded in April.

Scotland’s January death toll is currently 8% lower than in April, according to the government figures.

December was the deadliest month of the pandemic thus far in Wales at 1,026 deaths, although, with two days’ data left before the month is out January’s death toll is likely to exceed that figure.

As the government figure is based on deaths within 28 days of a positive test, deaths recorded in April may have been higher because of the limited availability of testing at the time.

source: Niamh McIntyre

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.