The average coronavirus victim dies ten years earlier than they otherwise would have, a study suggests.

Researchers from the University of Glasgow said that their analysis should combat any suggestion that the virus was mainly killing people who would have died soon regardless.

“In spite of the fact that many of these people have got long term conditions, the loss of life per person, on average, is not trivial. In fact, it’s reasonably substantial,” Dr David McAllister, who led the research, said.

Data released by the Office for National Statistics last week showed that people dying from coronavirus in England and Wales had an average of about three pre-existing conditions.