COVID-19: UK’s R number falls slightly to between 0.6 and 0.9
Written by News on 19/02/2021
The UK’s coronavirus reproduction number – or R number – now stands at between 0.6 and 0.9.
It represents a slight fall from last week’s estimate of 0.7-0.9, when it dropped below one for the first time since July.
The 0.6 figure is also the lowest seen since the government first started publishing the figures in May 2020.
The R refers to the average number of people an infected person will pass COVID-19 on to.
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Anything above one means the coronavirus outbreak is growing exponentially.
The figures for R and the growth rate are provided by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
An R number between 0.6 and 0.9 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will pass on the virus to between six and nine other people – an indication the epidemic is shrinking.
The number of infections is also thought to be reducing by between 3% and 6% each day, according to the latest estimates.
This is faster than last week, when the fall in growth was in the range of 2% and 5%.
SAGE warned that, despite the downward trend, the prevalence of the virus “remains high” and “it remains vital that everyone continues to stay at home in order to keep the R value down, protect the NHS and help save lives”.
The estimates are based on data available up to 15 February, including hospital admissions and deaths, as well as symptomatic testing and prevalence studies.
Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also showed coronavirus infection rates in the community had fallen further in all four UK nations.
The latest figures come as Boris Johnson prepares to set out his “roadmap” out of England’s lockdown next week.
Meanwhile, a minister said the government could not guarantee it would be the last time such tough restrictions were imposed.
James Cleverly said it was impossible to give people “100% certainty” because “viruses don’t work like that”.
The prime minister is also to confirm the UK will donate the majority of surplus coronavirus vaccines to poorer nations as he seeks to rally world leaders to work together on efforts to combat the pandemic.
Mr Johnson is to chair a virtual summit of G7 leaders on Friday, including US president Joe Biden in his first major multilateral meeting, to discuss the response to the crisis.
(c) Sky News 2021: COVID-19: UK’s R number falls slightly to between 0.6 and 0.9
