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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 4 hours later)
There have been nearly 300,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 41,000 people have died, government figures show.There have been nearly 300,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 41,000 people have died, government figures show.
However, these numbers only include people who have been tested, and the total number of deaths relating to coronavirus is likely to be higher.However, these numbers only include people who have been tested, and the total number of deaths relating to coronavirus is likely to be higher.
Latest figures from the Office For National Statistics show that the UK's overall death total has returned to close to normal levels for the time of year. Latest figures from the Office For National Statistics (ONS) show that the weekly number of recorded deaths has returned to close to normal levels for the time of year.
The latest numbers from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which counts death certificates mentioning the virus, suggests there had been more than 50,000 deaths by 5 June. Death certificates mentioning the virus suggest there had been more than 50,000 deaths by 5 June, according to ONS figures.
When looking at deaths over and above the expected number for this time of year, the toll rises to more than 64,000 by the same date.When looking at deaths over and above the expected number for this time of year, the toll rises to more than 64,000 by the same date.
Some of these deaths are likely to include people with undiagnosed coronavirus or those who died as an indirect result of the pandemic.Some of these deaths are likely to include people with undiagnosed coronavirus or those who died as an indirect result of the pandemic.
Coronavirus accounted for about 14% of all deaths in the UK in the week to 5 June, according to death registration data - a drop from 18% the previous week.Coronavirus accounted for about 14% of all deaths in the UK in the week to 5 June, according to death registration data - a drop from 18% the previous week.
In the week to 17 April, when deaths from the virus reached their peak, this figure was just under 40%.In the week to 17 April, when deaths from the virus reached their peak, this figure was just under 40%.
Find out how the pandemic has affected your area and how it compares with the national average:Find out how the pandemic has affected your area and how it compares with the national average:
If you can't see the look-up click here.If you can't see the look-up click here.
Downward trend in daily deaths continuesDownward trend in daily deaths continues
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.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.
The UK has the highest official death toll in Europe and the third highest in the world, after the US and Brazil. However, the government and many experts say it is too soon to make international comparisons.The UK has the highest official death toll in Europe and the third highest in the world, after the US and Brazil. However, the government and many experts say it is too soon to make international comparisons.
On Monday, the government announced a further 38 deaths.On Monday, the government announced a further 38 deaths.
The majority of the UK's deaths have been in England, with 37,299 so far - about 90% of the total for the UK.The majority of the UK's deaths have been in England, with 37,299 so far - about 90% of the total for the UK.
On Monday no new deaths were reported in Scotland or Northern Ireland.On Monday no new deaths were reported in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
In Scotland, the official government figure for deaths remains 2,448, but data on death registrations from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests it had reached nearly 4,000 by 7 June.In Scotland, the official government figure for deaths remains 2,448, but data on death registrations from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests it had reached nearly 4,000 by 7 June.
In Wales, the death toll stands at 1,448 while in Northern Ireland it remains 541.In Wales, the death toll stands at 1,448 while in Northern Ireland it remains 541.
Last week's figures from the ONS show the overall death total in the UK for the week to 5 June rose slightly, but remains close to the normal range for the time of year.Last week's figures from the ONS show the overall death total in the UK for the week to 5 June rose slightly, but remains close to the normal range for the time of year.
What is the R number in the UK?What is the R number in the UK?
The "R number" is the average number of people an infected person will pass the disease on to.The "R number" is the average number of people an infected person will pass the disease on to.
If R is below one, then the number of people contracting the disease will fall; if it is above one, the number will grow.If R is below one, then the number of people contracting the disease will fall; if it is above one, the number will grow.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, known as Sage, believes the R number across the whole of the UK is currently between 0.7 and 0.9.The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, known as Sage, believes the R number across the whole of the UK is currently between 0.7 and 0.9.
The government says the R number is between 0.8 and 1.0 in most English regions - but between 0.8 and 1.1 in the South West.The government says the R number is between 0.8 and 1.0 in most English regions - but between 0.8 and 1.1 in the South West.
The estimate for Scotland is between 0.6 and 0.8. In Northern Ireland, it is between 0.5 and 0.9, while it is between 0.7 and 1.0 in Wales.The estimate for Scotland is between 0.6 and 0.8. In Northern Ireland, it is between 0.5 and 0.9, while it is between 0.7 and 1.0 in Wales.
The government has said that the R number is one of the most important factors in deciding when lockdown measures can be eased.The government has said that the R number is one of the most important factors in deciding when lockdown measures can be eased.
New cases also continue to fallNew cases also continue to fall
The number of newly confirmed cases each day has been falling since a peak in April and the seven-day rolling average shows a clear downward trend.The number of newly confirmed cases each day has been falling since a peak in April and the seven-day rolling average shows a clear downward trend.
A further 1,056 cases were announced on Monday.A further 1,056 cases were announced on Monday.
Estimates by the ONS, however, suggest there could be nearly 6,000 cases per day in England alone - not including cases in hospitals or care homes - where people either show no symptoms or have mild symptoms and are not tested for the virus.Estimates by the ONS, however, suggest there could be nearly 6,000 cases per day in England alone - not including cases in hospitals or care homes - where people either show no symptoms or have mild symptoms and are not tested for the virus.
Chief Scientific Advisor Patrick Vallance has said the epidemic "is shrinking, but not fast," suggesting this means moving "very carefully" out of lockdown.Chief Scientific Advisor Patrick Vallance has said the epidemic "is shrinking, but not fast," suggesting this means moving "very carefully" out of lockdown.
Cases were originally concentrated in London, the Midlands and the North West, but Wales and parts of Scotland and the North East of England have also seen a high proportions of cases.Cases were originally concentrated in London, the Midlands and the North West, but Wales and parts of Scotland and the North East of England have also seen a high proportions of cases.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has raised the possibility that there could be "local lockdowns" in the future to control the spread of the virus.Health Secretary Matt Hancock has raised the possibility that there could be "local lockdowns" in the future to control the spread of the virus.
Testing now available to more peopleTesting now available to more people
The UK exceeded its target to increase testing capacity to 200,000 a day by the end of May.The UK exceeded its target to increase testing capacity to 200,000 a day by the end of May.
However, the UK Statistics Authority has criticised how the data has been presented, saying the aim appeared to be to show "the largest possible number of tests, even at the expense of understanding".However, the UK Statistics Authority has criticised how the data has been presented, saying the aim appeared to be to show "the largest possible number of tests, even at the expense of understanding".
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he would look at ways the information could be "improved".Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he would look at ways the information could be "improved".
The government announced there were 93,163 tests processed or posted in the 24 hours to 09:00 on Monday. This figure does not represent the number of people tested, as some are tested more than once.The government announced there were 93,163 tests processed or posted in the 24 hours to 09:00 on Monday. This figure does not represent the number of people tested, as some are tested more than once.
At least two million people have been tested for coronavirus in the UK - but the government has been unable to provide an updated figure for that since 22 May.At least two million people have been tested for coronavirus in the UK - but the government has been unable to provide an updated figure for that since 22 May.
New test and trace system beginsNew test and trace system begins
More than 31,000 people were identified as close contacts of people who tested positive for coronavirus during the first week of the test and trace system in England.More than 31,000 people were identified as close contacts of people who tested positive for coronavirus during the first week of the test and trace system in England.
Of those, 85% were reached by the test and trace teams and asked to self-isolate for 14 days.Of those, 85% were reached by the test and trace teams and asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
However, those 31,000 contacts were collected from only two-thirds of the 8,000 people who tested positive for coronavirus.However, those 31,000 contacts were collected from only two-thirds of the 8,000 people who tested positive for coronavirus.
No contacts were identified from the other 2,710 people with positive tests, either because their own contact details were not correct or they decided not to give out information about who they had spent time with.No contacts were identified from the other 2,710 people with positive tests, either because their own contact details were not correct or they decided not to give out information about who they had spent time with.
Northern Ireland was the first of the four UK administrations to bring in contact tracing when it launched its programme in May. Both Scotland and Wales also have their own contact tracing programmes.Northern Ireland was the first of the four UK administrations to bring in contact tracing when it launched its programme in May. Both Scotland and Wales also have their own contact tracing programmes.
Risk factorsRisk factors
Most recorded coronavirus deaths have been among the elderly, with NHS England figures showing more than half of deaths have been among people aged over 80.Most recorded coronavirus deaths have been among the elderly, with NHS England figures showing more than half of deaths have been among people aged over 80.
Research by Public Health England (PHE) has found that people from ethnic minorities have a much higher risk of dying from coronavirus than people of white British ethnicity. But it is still not clear why - the study did not take into account occupations or obesity, which are also known to be high risk factors.Research by Public Health England (PHE) has found that people from ethnic minorities have a much higher risk of dying from coronavirus than people of white British ethnicity. But it is still not clear why - the study did not take into account occupations or obesity, which are also known to be high risk factors.
Asked why the government had not released the scientific advice it had received about the risk to black and minority ethnic people, on Monday the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that the government had "not got to the bottom of all the evidence". He said ministers would wait to formulate a clear view before advising the public. He told the daily press briefing on Monday that ministers would wait to formulate a clear view before advising the public.Asked why the government had not released the scientific advice it had received about the risk to black and minority ethnic people, on Monday the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that the government had "not got to the bottom of all the evidence". He said ministers would wait to formulate a clear view before advising the public. He told the daily press briefing on Monday that ministers would wait to formulate a clear view before advising the public.
The most deprived parts of England and Wales have been hit twice as hard by coronavirus as wealthier areas, according to the ONS. Urban areas were worse-affected than rural areas and London had significantly more deaths from coronavirus per 100,000 people than any other region.The most deprived parts of England and Wales have been hit twice as hard by coronavirus as wealthier areas, according to the ONS. Urban areas were worse-affected than rural areas and London had significantly more deaths from coronavirus per 100,000 people than any other region.
See the full ONS release here.See the full ONS release here.
Hospitals seeing fewer coronavirus patientsHospitals seeing fewer coronavirus patients
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 Monday, the government said the number of people in hospital with coronavirus had fallen to 5,507 - down from 6,826 at the same time last week.On Monday, the government said the number of people in hospital with coronavirus had fallen to 5,507 - down from 6,826 at the same time last week.
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.