Last week, the figure was between 0.8 and 1. R represents the average number of people each Covid-19 positive person goes on to infect. When the figure is above 1, an outbreak can grow exponentially, but when it is below 1, it means the epidemic is shrinking. An R number between between 0.7 and 1 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between 7 and 10 other people. The figures for R and the growth rate are provided by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage). The growth rate, which estimates how quickly the number of infections is changing day by day, is between minus 6% and minus 1% for England.
The R value and growth rate in England
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) in England.
From: Contents
The UK estimates of
R and growth rate are averages over different epidemiological situations and should be regarded as a guide to the general trend rather than a description of the epidemic state.
Given the increasingly localised approach to managing the epidemic, particularly between nations, UK-level estimates are less meaningful than previously and may not accurately reflect the current picture of the epidemic.
The
R value and growth rates for the 4 nations and NHS England regions are more robust and useful metrics than those for the whole UK. As a result, UK estimates of the
The R number and growth rate for the South West remains the same this week as cases in Cornwall start to fall. The latest data, which was released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) on Friday (April 9) rates the ability to spread Covid-19 and the number of people that one infected person will pass the virus on to, on average. The updated R rate for the South West, including Cornwall, remains at 0.7 - 1.0, which is marginally lower than the latest R number range for England, of 0.8 - 1.0, which is also the same as last week.
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Coronavirus cases are down to less than a sixth of the January peak, according to data from the Office for National Statistics
.
The ONS said infections were likely level in England and Northern Ireland in the week up to 3 April, but decreasing in Scotland and Wales.
Overall just under 0.3% of the population - one in 350 people - tested positive.
The R number for England is now estimated to be between 0.8-1.
On Friday, the UK reported the largest number of second vaccine doses in a single day at 449,269 - with 96,242 first doses also administered.
THE R number and growth rate for the South West s new coronavirus cases has crept up again. The latest data, which was released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) on Friday (April 2) rates the ability to spread Covid-19 and the number of people that one infected person will pass the virus on to, on average. The updated R rate for the South West, including Cornwall, has increased to between 0.7 - 1.0, which is marginally lower than the latest R number range for England, of 0.8 - 1.0. An R-value between 0.7 and 1.0 means that, on average, every ten people infected will infect between seven and ten other people.