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Coronavirus UK map: How many confirmed cases are there in your area? Coronavirus UK map: How many confirmed cases are there in your area?
(1 day later)
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK has reached more than 129,000 and at least 17,337 people confirmed to have had the virus have died. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK has reached more than 133,000 and at least 18,000 people confirmed to have had the virus have died.
The actual number of cases is estimated to be much higher though - as it is mostly those in hospital and some NHS and care home staff who are currently being tested.The actual number of cases is estimated to be much higher though - as it is mostly those in hospital and some NHS and care home staff who are currently being tested.
More than 397,000 people have been tested for coronavirus so far. More than 411,000 people have been tested for coronavirus so far.
Find out how many people have confirmed cases in your area:Find out how many people have confirmed cases in your area:
If you can't see the look-up click here.If you can't see the look-up click here.
Northern Ireland cases have not been updated since 20 April. Northern Ireland cases by council area have not been made available since 20 April.
The following charts and graphics will help you understand the situation in the UK and how the authorities are responding.The following charts and graphics will help you understand the situation in the UK and how the authorities are responding.
Daily death toll rises but the trend is down Gradual decline in daily deaths continues
The number of people confirmed to have had coronavirus and died has risen by 823 to 17,337. The number of people confirmed to have had coronavirus and died has risen by 759 to 18,100. The figure is a little lower than Tuesday's rise of 823.
The figure is considerably higher than yesterday's total of 449, but the BBC's head of statistics Robert Cuffe says the increase is likely to be the result of a lag in reporting, particularly over the weekend, and suggests that the overall death rate is still showing a steady decline. The BBC's head of statistics Robert Cuffe says the latest figure fits with the general pattern of a gradual, bumpy decline from a peak of 980 on 10 April.
However, the overall picture is still of concern, with the UK one of just five countries to surpass 10,000 deaths - the others being the US, Spain, Italy and France. The peaks and troughs in the data have been exacerbated by reporting lags, especially at weekends, he adds.
The majority of the deaths have been in England, with 15,607 deaths in hospitals so far. Up until the weekend, London and the Midlands had been showing the highest daily death tolls, but today's figures show the highest daily number of deaths was reported in the North West. Despite the gradual decline, however, the UK is still approaching 20,000 deaths - a mark that only the US, Spain, Italy and France have passed.
In Scotland, 985 people have died so far, while the figure in Wales is 609. Northern Ireland has seen 216 deaths in total. The picture of decline is further supported by NHS England's analysis of deaths on the day they actually occur, shown below, rather than when they were reported.
This shows a rise to a peak in the week before Easter and a gradual decline since then. Both the rise and fall are smoother than in the daily figures reported by the government, shown above.
The most recent figures will be revised upwards as recent deaths are reported, but statisticians are increasingly confident that those late-reported deaths are unlikely to return us to levels seen before Easter.
The majority of the deaths have been in England, with 16,272 deaths in hospitals so far. London and the Midlands have seen the highest tolls, but the numbers in other regions have been going up more quickly in recent days.
In Scotland, 1,062 people have died so far, while the figure in Wales is 624. Northern Ireland has seen 250 deaths in total.
Most deaths have been among the elderly. Figures released by NHS England show more than half of deaths have been among people aged over 80.Most deaths have been among the elderly. Figures released by NHS England show more than half of deaths have been among people aged over 80.
And fewer than one in 10 of those who have died have been under the age of 60.And fewer than one in 10 of those who have died have been under the age of 60.
There also appears to be a "disproportionate impact" on those from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, according to Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick.There also appears to be a "disproportionate impact" on those from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, according to Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick.
Research needs to be done "swiftly" to "better understand it", he said.Research needs to be done "swiftly" to "better understand it", he said.
The UK's overall death figure is almost entirely made up from those people who died in hospital and tested positive for coronavirus.The UK's overall death figure is almost entirely made up from those people who died in hospital and tested positive for coronavirus.
For the most part, it does not include deaths in the community, for example in care homes, or people who have died in their own homes.For the most part, it does not include deaths in the community, for example in care homes, or people who have died in their own homes.
How big is the problem in care homes? But the Office for National Statistics has published figures for all cases where coronavirus was listed on a death certificate in England and Wales, up to 10 April.
The Office for National Statistics has published figures for all cases where coronavirus was listed on a death certificate in England and Wales, up to 10 April. Those figures show that the number of deaths registered was more than 3,500 higher than the deaths reported at the time.
The figures, which included care homes and other community settings as well as hospitals, show that the number of deaths registered was more than 3,500 higher than the deaths reported at the time.
The ONS said that overall there were about 8,000 more deaths than is normal for this time of year.The ONS said that overall there were about 8,000 more deaths than is normal for this time of year.
More than 6,200 were linked to coronavirus, but deaths from other causes also increased, suggesting the lockdown may be having an indirect impact on health.More than 6,200 were linked to coronavirus, but deaths from other causes also increased, suggesting the lockdown may be having an indirect impact on health.
The number of UK cases is not acceleratingThe number of UK cases is not accelerating
Tuesday's figure of 4,301 new cases is lower than yesterday's figure of 4,676. The 5,850 recorded on Sunday was the second highest daily increase in new infections, possibly as a result of more testing being carried out. However the rate of change is not increasing. Wednesday's figure of 4,451 new cases is slightly higher than the previous day's number.
But it is still down on the 5,850 recorded on Sunday, which was the second highest daily increase in new infections, possibly as a result of more testing being carried out.
The highest daily total was on 5 April, when more than 6,000 new cases were confirmed.The highest daily total was on 5 April, when more than 6,000 new cases were confirmed.
The coronavirus, which causes the respiratory disease known as Covid-19, was first confirmed in the UK at the end of January.The coronavirus, which causes the respiratory disease known as Covid-19, was first confirmed in the UK at the end of January.
While a number of people tested positive throughout February, infections in the UK began to rise substantially towards the end of March.While a number of people tested positive throughout February, infections in the UK began to rise substantially towards the end of March.
As with deaths, cases were heavily concentrated in London, the Midlands and the North West, but South Wales and parts of Scotland also have higher concentrations of cases.As with deaths, cases were heavily concentrated in London, the Midlands and the North West, but South Wales and parts of Scotland also have higher concentrations of cases.
UK deaths remain behind Italy and Spain - for nowUK deaths remain behind Italy and Spain - for now
Currently, the number of confirmed cases and deaths in the UK remains lower than some other European countries.Currently, the number of confirmed cases and deaths in the UK remains lower than some other European countries.
For example, in Italy there have been more than 181,000 confirmed cases and more than 24,000 deaths. For example, in Italy there have been more than 180,000 confirmed cases and more than 24,000 deaths.
But while the increase in the number of deaths appears to be slowing in Italy, in the UK the number is still rising - albeit at a slower rate than a couple of weeks ago.But while the increase in the number of deaths appears to be slowing in Italy, in the UK the number is still rising - albeit at a slower rate than a couple of weeks ago.
Lockdown restrictions have been partially lifted in some other European countries, including Italy and Austria, as the increase in the number of deaths each day has slowed.Lockdown restrictions have been partially lifted in some other European countries, including Italy and Austria, as the increase in the number of deaths each day has slowed.
The UK government says the measures are working, but five conditions must be met before the lockdown is eased.The UK government says the measures are working, but five conditions must be met before the lockdown is eased.
Testing remains well below the UK targetTesting remains well below the UK target
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has set a target of 100,000 tests per day by the end of April - a big jump from the previous target of 25,000 per day by mid-April.Health Secretary Matt Hancock has set a target of 100,000 tests per day by the end of April - a big jump from the previous target of 25,000 per day by mid-April.
The number of tests carried out fell back to just over 18,200 after the previous four days when it was around 20,000 per day. On Wednesday, the government reported that nearly 23,000 coronavirus tests were carried out in the preceding 24 hours, up from around 18,000 the previous day.
In total, more than 397,000 people in the UK have been tested. In total, more than 411,000 people in the UK have been tested.
Most of the tests so far have been reserved for seriously ill patients in hospital. But earlier this month the government began to publish figures which included key workers and their households, as well as hospital patients.Most of the tests so far have been reserved for seriously ill patients in hospital. But earlier this month the government began to publish figures which included key workers and their households, as well as hospital patients.
Previously, the testing of key workers and their families had not been included in the daily figures.Previously, the testing of key workers and their families had not been included in the daily figures.
Increasing the number of people being tested for coronavirus will play a key part in analysing its spread in the UK.Increasing the number of people being tested for coronavirus will play a key part in analysing its spread in the UK.
The number of people in hospital has dropped slightly Hospital capacity is gradually improving
The number of people in hospital with coronavirus has dropped again to 17,681 - 151 lower than yesterday. At one point numbers topped 20,000. The number of people in hospital with coronavirus dropped again on Wednesday to 17,477 - 204 lower than the previous day. At one point earlier in the month, that number had topped 20,000.
Professor Jonathan Van Tam, the deputy chief medical officer, told today's news conference that the peak of admissions to hospital in London was 10 April and since then numbers had been declining. Professor Chris Whitty, the UK's chief medical officer, said on Wednesday that the situation around the country was either improving or broadly flat.
The government has said making sure the NHS can cope with a second peak of the virus is one of the five conditions that must be met.The government has said making sure the NHS can cope with a second peak of the virus is one of the five conditions that must be met.
Another of the conditions is ensuring that the supply of tests and personal protective equipment (PPE) can meet future demand.Another of the conditions is ensuring that the supply of tests and personal protective equipment (PPE) can meet future demand.
Hospitals are still experiencing poor supplies of some essential equipment, according to Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers in England.