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The number of COVID-related deaths in England and Wales increased by nearly 40% in a week and reached their highest number since August, figures show.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows some 400 deaths registered in the seven days to 7 October mentioned coronavirus on the death certificate.

The figure climbed 39% from 287 the week earlier, according to the figures.

Of those 400 deaths, 63.5% (254 deaths) had COVID recorded as the underlying cause of death, slightly higher than the week before when it was 63.1% (181 deaths).

It is the first signal the current wave of infections is likely to be driving an increase in deaths involving COVID-19 - though numbers have yet to match those seen during this year's summer wave.

Death registrations reached 810 in the week up to 29 July, following an increase in infections caused by the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants.

But this is far below the level seen in January 2021, when the virus claimed the lives of almost 8,500 people every week.

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High levels of COVID antibodies, from either vaccinations or previous infections, mean the number of people becoming seriously ill or dying has dropped.

Data to be published in the coming weeks will confirm if the latest numbers signal a steady upward trend.

Figures published last week by the ONS showed that COVID-19 infections are continuing to rise in both England and Wales.

Rise in infections and hospitalisations

Some 1.5million - equating to one in 35 people - in private households in England tested positive for the virus in the week up to 3 October.

This is up from 1.1million, or one in 50 people, the week earlier.

Meanwhile in Wales, an estimated 74,900 people, the equivalent of one in 40 people, have tested positive - an increase from 63,400 or one in 50 people seven days earlier.

Across the UK in the same weekly period, infections soared by a third with a total of 1.7million testing positive.

Health officials said a new wave of infections could be happening after a rise in COVID hospital admissions at the beginning of the month.

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There were 9,631 people in hospital with the virus as of 8am on 5 October - up 37% on 7,024 the week earlier.

The figure is the highest since 3 August.

Three of nine regions in England were almost back to July peak levels, including the South West, South East and the East of England.