UK: Coronavirus latest news: UK death toll increases by 616 as WHO warns half of all fatalities are in care homes

From the Telegraph:

The UK's coronavirus death toll has increased by 616 in the last 24 hours, up to a total of 18,738, the Department of Health said. But the figures come as experts raised concerns that the true total could be far higher, due to large numbers of deaths in care homes. 

Across Europe, half of all coronavirus deaths have taken place in care homes, the World Health Organisation warned, naming the crisis in social care an "unimaginable human tragedy". 

Dr Hans Kluge told a press conference on Thursday there was a "deeply concerning picture" emerging regarding those in long-term care. "According to estimates from countries in the European region, up to half of those who have died from Covid-19 were resident in long-term care facilities," he said. "This is an unimaginable human tragedy." 

The UK does not include care home fatalities in its official death toll, meaning the total number killed could be more than double the Government's reported figure.