COVID R rate spikes nationwide as third vaccine approved Almost one in 50 people had the virus last week | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite The UK’s R (reproduction) number has risen as the country’s medical regulators have approved a new vaccine for use. An additional 10 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine have been ordered by the government after it was said to meet the strict safety and quality standards. It comes as the Office for National Statistics estimates that almost one in 50 people had the virus during the week to January 2. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has said the coronavirus reproduction number has risen to between 1 and 1.4 up from its December figure of 1.1 and 1.3.