Deaths within 28 days of a positive test have returned to levels seen around the start of the third lockdown

Deaths a day

Weekly average

6

2,000

1,600

5

1

1,200

4

3

800

2

400

215

0

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

1. 23 March 2020 First lockdown begins as Boris Johnson issues ‘stay at home’ instruction

2. 3 August Eat out to help out scheme launches

3. 14 October Three-tier system begins in England

4. 5 November Second national lockdown in England

5. 2 December England reverts to strengthened tier system

6. 5 January 2021 Third national lockdown, including schools closures, begins

Deaths a day

Weekly average

5 January

Third national

lockdown

begins

2 December

England reverts to strengthened tier system

2,000

1,600

23 March 2020

First lockdown begins as Boris Johnson issues ‘stay at home’ instruction

5 November

Second national lockdown begins in England

1,200

3 August

Eat out to help out scheme launches

14 October Three-tier system begins in England

800

400

215

0

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Guardian graphic. Source: Data.gov.uk, updated 21 February, 2021. Note: line chart based on the average deaths a day in a given week. These figures count people who have tested positive for Covid-19 and died within 28 days of their first positive test. Deaths are assigned to the date they are reported