This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51768274

The article has changed 343 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 109 Version 110
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 133,000 and at least 18,000 people confirmed to have had the virus have died. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK has reached more than 138,000 and at least 18,738 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 411,000 people have been tested for coronavirus so far. More than 425,000 people have been tested for coronavirus so far.
The following charts and graphics will help you understand the situation in the UK and how the authorities are responding.
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 by council area have not been made available 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.
Gradual decline in daily deaths continuesGradual decline in daily deaths continues
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 BBC's head of statistics Robert Cuffe says that today's figure of 616 deaths - down from 823 yesterday - shows how the decline from the peak is likely to be gradual and bumpy.
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. The peaks and troughs are exacerbated by reporting lags, especially at weekends, he adds.
The peaks and troughs in the data have been exacerbated by reporting lags, especially at weekends, he adds. The picture of decline is further supported by NHS England's analysis of deaths on the day they actually occur - this shows a smooth rise to a peak in the week before Easter and a smoother, gradual decline since then.
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. Despite this tailing off the UK is still approaching 20,000 deaths - a toll that only the US, Spain, Italy and France have passed.
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 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. Recent data also suggests that deaths in London are declining now at a faster rate than in other regions of England.
In Scotland, 1,062 people have died so far, while the figure in Wales is 624. Northern Ireland has seen 250 deaths in total. Overall, the majority of the deaths have been in England, with 16,786 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, 1,120 people have died so far, while the figure in Wales is 641. Northern Ireland has seen 263 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 the virus.
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.
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. On Tuesday the Office for National Statistics said there had been some 18,500 deaths in the week up to 10 April - about 8,000 more than is normal at this time of year.
Those figures 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.
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
Wednesday's figure of 4,451 new cases is slightly higher than the previous day's number. Thursday's figure of 4,583 new cases is slightly higher than the previous day.
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.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 180,000 confirmed cases and more than 24,000 deaths. For example, in Italy there have been more than 189,000 confirmed cases and more than 25,000 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.
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 target On Wednesday the government's chief medical advisor Chris Whitty said the UK would have to live with some disruptive social measures for at least the rest of the year.
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. He said it was "wholly unrealistic" to expect life to return to normal until there was a "highly effective vaccine" or drugs to treat the disease.
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. Government promises testing target will be met
In total, more than 411,000 people in the UK have been tested. On Thursday Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that employers of essential workers will now be able to book a coronavirus test for their staff online, while key workers can request a test for themselves online from Friday.
Some 18,000 people will also be hired to help trace coronavirus infections, the health secretary said.
Thursday's figures showed that just over 23,000 coronavirus tests were carried out in the preceding 24 hours, up slightly from Wednesday's number.
In total, more than 425,000 people have now been tested.
Mr Hancock previously set a target of 100,000 tests per day by the end of April - and on Wednesday the government insisted that that figure would be met.
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.
Hospital capacity is gradually improving Patient numbers gradually improving
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. The number of people in hospital with coronavirus dropped again on Thursday to 16,906, down from 17,477 the day before.
Professor Chris Whitty, the UK's chief medical officer, said on Wednesday that the situation around the country was either improving or broadly flat.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.