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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?
(about 20 hours later)
There have been more than 250,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 36,000 people have lost their lives, government figures show.There have been more than 250,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 36,000 people have lost their lives, government figures show.
However, the total number of deaths relating to coronavirus is thought to be higher, with Office for National Statistics (ONS) data suggesting there had already been more than 41,000 such deaths by the week beginning 8 May. However, these numbers only include people who have been tested, and the total number of deaths relating to coronavirus is thought to be higher.
When all deaths over and above the expected number for the period to 8 May are taken into account, the ONS data suggests the total might be more than 54,000. Some of these deaths are likely to include people with undiagnosed coronavirus or who died as an indirect result of the pandemic. Two different measures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest bigger figures.
The number of new daily confirmed cases has been falling since a peak in April, despite an increase in the number of people being tested. The first, counting death certificates mentioning the virus, suggests deaths reached 41,000 by the week beginning 8 May, while the second, recording deaths over and above the expected number, suggests a toll of 54,000 by the same date.
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 are fallingUK coronavirus deaths are falling
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 by the second half of March. The new coronavirus, which causes the disease Covid-19, 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 by the second half of 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 and many experts say it is too soon to make international comparisons. Although strict social distancing measures introduced at the end of that month helped bring daily deaths down, the UK now has the highest official death toll in Europe and the second highest in the world. However, the government and many experts say it is too soon to make international comparisons.
Another 338 deaths were announced on Thursday, bringing the official government total number of deaths in the UK to 36,042. Another 351 deaths were announced on Friday, bringing the official government total number of deaths in the UK to 36,393.
The number of new daily confirmed cases has been falling since a peak in April, despite an increase in the number of people being tested.
The majority of the UK's deaths have been in England, with more than 32,000 so far - about 90% of the total for the UK.The majority of the UK's deaths have been in England, with more than 32,000 so far - about 90% of the total for the UK.
In Scotland, the official government figure for deaths is 2,221, but data on death registrations from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests it is at least 3,500. In Scotland, the official government figure for deaths is 2,245, but data on death registrations from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests it is at least 3,500.
In Wales, the death toll stands at 1,247, while there have been 501 deaths in Northern Ireland. In Wales, the death toll stands at 1,254, while there have been 504 deaths in Northern Ireland.
However, the government figures only count those who have tested positive for the virus, while the figures released by the ONS look at all death certificates mentioning Covid-19, which is also why there is a slight time lag for their statistics. While government figures announced each day count those who have tested positive for the virus, other measures are being used to calculate the full impact of the disease.
The latest ONS data suggests the total number of deaths was more than 41,000 by 8 May. The ONS, which looks at all death certificates mentioning Covid-19 and therefore figures have a time lag, suggests the total number of deaths was more than 41,000 by 8 May.
And separate data that records the number of people who have died over and above the expected total for this time of year suggests the number of excess deaths could have been more than 54,000 by the same date. Separate ONS data that records the number of people who have died over and above the expected total for this time of year suggests the number of such "excess deaths" could have been more than 54,000 by the same date. Some of these deaths are likely to include people with undiagnosed coronavirus or who died as an indirect result of the pandemic.
This figure is likely to include undiagnosed coronavirus deaths, as well as others indirectly caused by the pandemic. Analysis of deaths data has also shown that certain groups of people are more likely to die from the disease.
Most recorded coronavirus deaths have been among the elderly. For example, 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.
Figures released by NHS England show more than half of deaths have been among people aged over 80, while ONS data suggests more than a quarter of all coronavirus-related deaths in the UK have happened in care homes. ONS data also suggests more than a quarter of all coronavirus-related deaths in the UK have happened in care homes.
Up to 8 May, there had been more than 11,600 deaths in care homes in the UK where coronavirus was written on the death certificate, according to the ONS. Data collated by the ONS has also suggested people living in more deprived areas of England and Wales are more likely to die with coronavirus than those in more affluent places.
The weekly figures have fallen from 2,809 in the week to 1 May to 1,940 in the week to 8 May - however the BBC's head of statistics Robert Cuffe points out the decrease is likely to have been exaggerated because there was a pause in death registrations on Bank Holiday Friday. It also found that black men and women were nearly twice as likely to die as white people, with the risk persisting after taking into account age, where people live and some measures of deprivation and prior health.
ONS data has also suggested people living in more deprived areas of England and Wales are more likely to die with coronavirus than those in more affluent places. However, other preliminary research released on Wednesday by the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) said that black and other ethnic-minority people in the UK are no more likely to die of coronavirus than white people when the effects of other illnesses and deprivation are taken into account.
ONS analysis also found that black men and women are nearly twice as likely to die as white people, with the risk persisting after taking into account age, where people live and some measures of deprivation and prior health.
However, preliminary research released on Wednesday by the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) said that black and other ethnic-minority people in the UK, are no more likely to die of coronavirus than white people when the effects of other illnesses and deprivation are taken into account.
What is the infection rate at the moment?What is the infection rate at the moment?
Despite the number of cases falling, the infection rate in the UK could have risen again, according to official government scientific advice. The latest infection rate, or "R-number", sits between 0.7 and 1.0, according to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) group of advisors.
The latest "R-number" sits between 0.7 and 1.0, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) group of advisors said on Friday.
This number is the average number of people an infected person will pass the disease on to.This number is the average number of people an infected person will pass the disease on to.
If R is below 1 then the number of people contracting the disease is falling; if it is above one, the number is growing. If R is below one then the number of people contracting the disease will fall; if it is above one, the number will grow.
Due to the way that the number is calculated it is already 2-3 weeks out-of-date and so the figures do not cover the period after the changes to lockdown announced last week. Due to the way that the number is calculated, it is two-three weeks out-of-date and does not cover the period of time after the changes to lockdown announced last week.
In England, Public Health England estimate the number to be 0.72-0.77, in Scotland the estimate is between 0.7 and 1.0, in Northern Ireland it is just above 0.7.In England, Public Health England estimate the number to be 0.72-0.77, in Scotland the estimate is between 0.7 and 1.0, in Northern Ireland it is just above 0.7.
Wales has not released an official estimate but the Chief Executive of the NHS in Wales, Dr Andrew Goodall, has said it is below 1. Wales has not released an official estimate but the Chief Executive of the NHS in Wales, Dr Andrew Goodall, has said it is below one.
Daily confirmed cases are fallingDaily confirmed cases are falling
Although the infection rate could be increasing, the number of daily confirmed cases of coronavirus has been falling over the past week from peaks of more than 6,000 in previous weeks. The number of daily confirmed cases of coronavirus has been falling over the past week from peaks of more than 6,000 in previous weeks.
A further 2,615 cases were announced on Thursday. A further 3,287 cases were announced on Friday.
Also on Thursday, the government released an estimate of the number of people in the community in England who had the virus between 4 May and 17 May.
It suggested that around 137,000 people or 0.25% of the population had the virus.
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.
The government estimates around 137,000 people or 0.25% of the population in England had the virus between 4 May and 17 May.
The number of hospital patients with coronavirus is also fallingThe number of hospital patients with coronavirus is also falling
The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 has been gradually declining since a peak over Easter.The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 has been gradually declining since a peak over Easter.
On Thursday, the government said the number of people in hospital with coronavirus had fallen to just over 9,500 people, down from more than 11,000 last Thursday.On Thursday, the government said the number of people in hospital with coronavirus had fallen to just over 9,500 people, down from more than 11,000 last Thursday.
However, the picture is different across the UK's nations and regions, with numbers falling faster in some areas than others.However, the picture is different across the UK's nations and regions, with numbers falling faster in some areas than others.
Testing people with symptoms Testing is now available to more people
Figures on testing for coronavirus in the UK show that just over two million people had been tested up to 21 May. Figures on testing for coronavirus in the UK show that just over two million people had been tested up to 22 May.
On Thursday the government announced there had been 128,340 tests in the previous 24 hours. There were 140,497 tests in the 24 hours to 09:00 on Friday, government figures showed.
The daily total 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.The daily total 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.
On Thursday the government announced that health and care staff will be the first to receive antibody tests to check if a person has had coronavirus, after ministers agreed deals with two pharmaceutical companies. Anyone over the age of five years and displaying symptoms can now arrange an antigen test to determine whether they currently have the virus.
The test, however, does not indicate whether a person has immunity against coronavirus.
On Monday Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that anyone over 5 years of age and displaying symptoms can now arrange an antigen test to determine whether they currently have the virus.
All residents and staff in care homes in England, and patients and staff in the NHS can already book tests regardless of whether they have symptoms.All residents and staff in care homes in England, and patients and staff in the NHS can already book tests regardless of whether they have symptoms.
The prime minister has set a target for a daily capacity of 200,000 by the end of May - although some health professionals have raised concerns over the accuracy of tests and how long it takes to get results.The prime minister has set a target for a daily capacity of 200,000 by the end of May - although some health professionals have raised concerns over the accuracy of tests and how long it takes to get results.
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.