(Natural News) Experts have claimed that the COVID-19 fatality rate in the U.K. could be close to zero percent. Based on data they analyzed, most Britons who died of the disease would have passed away from natural causes nevertheless. Their claim followed official figures bolstering the assertion that the Wuhan coronavirus has been kept at bay.

A batch of data released by the British government showed that COVID-19 is no longer the leading cause of death in England and Wales. Figures released by the U.K. Office for National Statistics (ONS) for March 2021 showed that ischemic heart diseases, alongside dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, equally took the top spot as the leading causes of death in England. ONS figures for Wales showed the same outcome – with heart diseases being slightly ahead of the neurological ailments, and COVID-19 trailing the two.

According to the U.K. Department for Health and Social Care, the country sees an average of 24 COVID-19 deaths per day. Fatalities that occur within 28 days of a positive Wuhan coronavirus test stemming from any cause – such as cancer, a heart attack or a car accident – are counted in the DHSC’s daily death count.

University of Buckingham professor Karol Sikora said the government’s average number of COVID-19 daily deaths had the potential to be “significantly” lower than the current number. Official data appeared to back up his argument, showing that about 25 percent of deaths related to COVID-19 are people who died while infected instead of as a result of the virus.

Other scientists have remarked that despite some patients not registering COVID-19 as an underlying cause of death, the pathogen probably had a significantly negative impact on their last days. Open University applied statistics emeritus professor Kevin McConway remarked that “a significant number” of COVID-19 deaths were not mainly caused by the virus.

The retired professor remarked: “For these deaths involving [the coronavirus] – but not having [COVID-19] as the underlying cause – the virus could have had a substantial effect on the patient. [It may have] made their last days much more uncomfortable, or even shortened their life by a substantial amount.”