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 135 Version 136
Coronavirus UK map: How many confirmed cases are there in your area? Coronavirus UK map: How many confirmed cases are there in your area?
(30 minutes later)
There are now nearly 230,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 33,000 people have died, according to the latest government figures.There are now nearly 230,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 33,000 people have died, according to the latest government figures.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday suggested the total number of deaths relating to coronavirus had actually reached more than 36,000 by 1 May. The number of new daily confirmed cases has continued to fall and is at its lowest since March, despite an increase in the number of people being tested.
But the figures put out by the government every day are not absolute. Data released by the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday suggested the total number of deaths relating to coronavirus had actually reached more than 36,000 by 1 May.
The difference in numbers is because the government looks at only those who tested positive for the virus, whereas the ONS looks at all death certificates which mentioned Covid-19 - which is also why their figures lag behind.The difference in numbers is because the government looks at only those who tested positive for the virus, whereas the ONS looks at all death certificates which mentioned Covid-19 - which is also why their figures lag behind.
The BBC's Head of Statistics, Robert Cuffe, says a third way of counting coronavirus deaths is to look at all those who have died over and above the expected total for this time of year and it comes to more than 50,000 by 1 May. This figure is likely to include undiagnosed coronavirus deaths, as well as others indirectly caused by the pandemic.The BBC's Head of Statistics, Robert Cuffe, says a third way of counting coronavirus deaths is to look at all those who have died over and above the expected total for this time of year and it comes to more than 50,000 by 1 May. This figure is likely to include undiagnosed coronavirus deaths, as well as others indirectly caused by the pandemic.
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.
UK coronavirus deaths fallUK coronavirus deaths fall
The new coronavirus was first confirmed in the UK at the end of January, but the number of daily confirmed cases and related deaths only began to increase significantly mid-late March.The new coronavirus was first confirmed in the UK at the end of January, but the number of daily confirmed cases and related deaths only began to increase significantly mid-late March.
Although strict social distancing measures introduced at the end of March have helped bring the daily death toll down, the UK now has the highest official death toll in Europe and the second highest in the world. However, the government says it is too soon to make international comparisons.Although strict social distancing measures introduced at the end of March have helped bring the daily death toll down, the UK now has the highest official death toll in Europe and the second highest in the world. However, the government says it is too soon to make international comparisons.
Another 494 deaths were announced on Wednesday, bringing the official total number of deaths in the UK to 33,186.Another 494 deaths were announced on Wednesday, bringing the official total number of deaths in the UK to 33,186.
The majority of the UK's deaths have been in England, with nearly 30,000 so far - about 90% of the total for the UK.The majority of the UK's deaths have been in England, with nearly 30,000 so far - about 90% of the total for the UK.
In Scotland, the official government figure for deaths is 1,973, but data on death registrations from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests it is at least 3,000.In Scotland, the official government figure for deaths is 1,973, but data on death registrations from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests it is at least 3,000.
In Wales, the death toll stands at 1,154, while there have been 449 deaths in Northern Ireland.In Wales, the death toll stands at 1,154, while there have been 449 deaths in Northern Ireland.
Deaths still above normalDeaths still above normal
New data from the ONS for deaths in the week ending 1 May show the total fell for the second week running to just over 20,000 - but overall the weekly death total is still well above the five-year average for this time of year.New data from the ONS for deaths in the week ending 1 May show the total fell for the second week running to just over 20,000 - but overall the weekly death total is still well above the five-year average for this time of year.
There is a longer wait for the release of these figures, because the figures come from information from death certificates, rather than positive tests.There is a longer wait for the release of these figures, because the figures come from information from death certificates, rather than positive tests.
In total, figures suggest there have been more than 50,000 deaths over and above the normal amount expected by this time of year.In total, figures suggest there have been more than 50,000 deaths over and above the normal amount expected by this time of year.
The ONS, which has provided the best picture so far of the impact on care homes, suggests that more than a quarter of all coronavirus-related deaths in the UK happened in such homes.The ONS, which has provided the best picture so far of the impact on care homes, suggests that more than a quarter of all coronavirus-related deaths in the UK happened in such homes.
However, figures published on Tuesday show that deaths in care homes have now begun to fall.However, figures published on Tuesday show that deaths in care homes have now begun to fall.
Testing struggles to meet government targetTesting struggles to meet government target
The latest figures on testing for coronavirus in the UK shows that more than one and a half million people have now been tested.The latest figures on testing for coronavirus in the UK shows that more than one and a half million people have now been tested.
In the most recent 24-hour period, the total number of tests was just above 87,000.In the most recent 24-hour period, the total number of tests was just above 87,000.
That figure includes test kits sent to individuals or to testing locations but not yet analysed or returned, as well as tests fully processed through the relevant UK labs.That figure includes test kits sent to individuals or to testing locations but not yet analysed or returned, as well as tests fully processed through the relevant UK labs.
When it set out to rapidly increase the country's testing capacity at the beginning of April, the UK government pledged to carry out 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of the month.When it set out to rapidly increase the country's testing capacity at the beginning of April, the UK government pledged to carry out 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of the month.
This chart shows that though the number is now far higher than it was a month ago, the target has only been hit three times since the beginning of May.This chart shows that though the number is now far higher than it was a month ago, the target has only been hit three times since the beginning of May.
People over 65 and those who must leave home to work, as well as those they live with, can now book coronavirus tests.People over 65 and those who must leave home to work, as well as those they live with, can now book coronavirus tests.
All residents and staff in care homes in England, and patients and staff in the NHS, are also eligible, regardless of whether they have symptoms.All residents and staff in care homes in England, and patients and staff in the NHS, are also eligible, regardless of whether they have symptoms.
Increased testing is essential for the government's strategy to "test, track and trace" potential coronavirus cases.Increased testing is essential for the government's strategy to "test, track and trace" potential coronavirus cases.
As part of this plan, an app is being piloted on the Isle of Wight which alerts people that they may have been exposed to a potential coronavirus case.As part of this plan, an app is being piloted on the Isle of Wight which alerts people that they may have been exposed to a potential coronavirus case.
Daily cases slowly decreasingDaily cases slowly decreasing
The numbers of confirmed daily cases had been on a downward trend until a jump on Wednesday and Thursday last week. The numbers of daily cases has been falling over the past week from peaks of more than 6,000 confirmed in a single day.
BBC health correspondent Nick Triggle said the rise was probably due to an increase in testing rather than the rate of infection going up. Wednesday's figure of 3,242 is the lowest since March. Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, said seeing a decrease in confirmed cases as testing capacity increased was a positive sign moving forward.
All the indications - from hospital admissions to deaths - show the number of infections have been falling for some time, he added.
Cases were originally concentrated in London, the Midlands and the North West, according to official data.Cases were originally concentrated in London, the Midlands and the North West, according to official data.
But South Wales and parts of the North West and North East also have a high proportions of cases.But South Wales and parts of the North West and North East also have a high proportions of cases.
Who is being most affected and where?Who is being most affected and where?
People living in more deprived areas of England and Wales are more likely to die with coronavirus than those in more affluent places, figures from the ONS suggest.People living in more deprived areas of England and Wales are more likely to die with coronavirus than those in more affluent places, figures from the ONS suggest.
ONS analysis shows there were 55 deaths for every 100,000 people in the poorest parts of England, compared with 25 in the wealthiest areas.ONS analysis shows there were 55 deaths for every 100,000 people in the poorest parts of England, compared with 25 in the wealthiest areas.
Most recorded coronavirus 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 recorded coronavirus deaths have been among the elderly. Figures released by NHS England show more than half of deaths have been among people aged over 80.
Regional data suggests the daily numbers of deaths is declining fastest in London, but other parts of England and Wales are also now seeing a decline.Regional data suggests the daily numbers of deaths is declining fastest in London, but other parts of England and Wales are also now seeing a decline.
London and the Midlands have seen the highest death tolls. Northern Ireland and the south west of England have seen the smallest.London and the Midlands have seen the highest death tolls. Northern Ireland and the south west of England have seen the smallest.
New research in England and Wales has also suggested that black men and women are nearly twice as likely to die with coronavirus as white people.New research in England and Wales has also suggested that black men and women are nearly twice as likely to die with coronavirus as white people.
The ONS analysis shows the increased risk persists after taking into account age, where people live and some measures of deprivation and prior health.The ONS analysis shows the increased risk persists after taking into account age, where people live and some measures of deprivation and prior health.
People from Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities also had a significantly higher risk of dying.People from Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities also had a significantly higher risk of dying.
The number of hospital patients has fallenThe number of hospital patients has fallen
On Tuesday, the government said the number of people in hospital with coronavirus had fallen to 11,605, down from 13,606 from the same day last week. On Wednesday, the government said the number of people in hospital with coronavirus had fallen to 11,327, down from 13,273 from the same day last week.
Figures have been gradually declining since a peak over Easter.Figures have been gradually declining since a peak over Easter.
London's Nightingale Hospital, which opened on 3 April with space for 4,000 beds to treat Covid-19 patients, is being mothballed in the coming days, and will no longer be admitting patients.London's Nightingale Hospital, which opened on 3 April with space for 4,000 beds to treat Covid-19 patients, is being mothballed in the coming days, and will no longer be admitting patients.
The government has said making sure the NHS can cope with a second peak of the virus is one of five conditions that must be met before the lockdown is eased.The government has said making sure the NHS can cope with a second peak of the virus is one of five conditions that must be met before the lockdown is eased.
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.
Changing the lockdown rulesChanging the lockdown rules
On Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled a "conditional plan" to ease lockdown restrictions in England and allow people to spend more time outdoors. On Wednesday, some people in England who cannot work from home were allowed to return to their workplaces, as the government started easing some lockdown measures.
He said a new Covid Alert System with five levels would govern how quickly lockdown restrictions could be eased. People were urged to avoid public transport if possible, but some commuters in London said Tube trains and buses were still too busy to observe social distancing rules.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own powers over the lockdown and have decide not to ease restrictions at the moment. Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled a new Covid Alert System on Sunday, with five levels to govern how quickly lockdown restrictions could be eased.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own powers over the lockdown and have decided not to ease restrictions at the moment.