Britain's Office for National Statistics (ONS) found the true death toll from the coronavirus in England and Wales up to April 17 was 54 percent higher than the UK government's daily figures.

There were 22,351 deaths in England and Wales up to April 17, according to the ONS data. By comparison, the Department of Health for England and Wales said 14,451 people died from the disease in England and Wales at the same time.

The 54-percent difference is caused by multiple factors.

The government's daily updates only include deaths in hospitals. They do not include people who die in other locations, including private homes, hospices, and care homes. The updates also fail to account for a lag in reporting some deaths. And they do not include Northern Ireland and Scotland, so the true number for the UK will be higher.

On Twitter, the ONS said it included all instances where COVID-19 was mentioned on a death certificate, even if the disease was only suspected.

The highest number of COVID-19 deaths were among those aged 85 years and over.

As well as recording the total number of deaths caused by the coronavirus, the ONS has also published data from the UK's Care Quality Commission (CQC), a body that regulates health and adult social care services in England.

The commission was notified of 4,343 coronavirus-related deaths in care homes in England between April 10 and 24. The information has been released as concerns mount over outbreaks in these homes.

( With input from agencies )