COVID-19: R number edges down slightly to a maximum of 1.1
Written by News on 20/11/2020
The UK’s reproduction number has fallen slightly to a maximum of 1.1 from a maximum of 1.2, according to new figures.
The number has been confirmed by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), which advises the government on its response to the pandemic.
Scientists have estimated the reproduction number, known as the R number, is now between 1.0 and 1.1.
R represents the average number of people each COVID positive person goes on to infect.
This means on average every 10 people with coronavirus will infect between 10 and 11 others.
The reproduction number was between 1.0 and 1.2 last week.
Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world
The R number is one of the many indicators scientists use to determine how quickly COVID-19 is spreading.
A breakdown of R numbers across England
England: 1.0 – 1.1
East of England: 1.0 – 1.3
London: 1.0 – 1.2
Midlands: 1.0 – 1.2
North East and Yorkshire: 1.0 – 1.1
North West: 0.8 – 1.0
South East: 1.1 – 1.3
South West: 1.0 – 1.3
When the figure is above 1, an outbreak can grow exponentially.
The growth rate, which estimates how quickly the number of infections is changing day-by-day, is between 0% and plus 2% for the UK as a whole.
It means the number of new infections is growing by 0% to 2% every day.
:: Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Estimates for R and growth rates are shown as a range, and the true values are likely to lie within this range, according to the experts.
SAGE also said the figures published on Friday more accurately represent the average situation over the past few weeks rather than the present situation.
The latest R number and growth rate have been revealed as the health secretary told Sky News he hopes a mass vaccination programme will get under way “within a matter of weeks”.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said the number of coronavirus infections in England appears to have “levelled off” in recent weeks.
(c) Sky News 2020: COVID-19: R number edges down slightly to a maximum of 1.1
