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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)
There have been more than 300,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and over 42,000 people have died, government figures show. There have been more than 300,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 42,000 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 (ONS) show that the weekly number of recorded deaths 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.
Death certificates mentioning the virus suggest there had been more than 50,000 deaths by 5 June, according to ONS figures.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 Thursday, the government announced a further 135 deaths. On Friday, the government announced a further 173 deaths.
The majority of the UK's deaths have been in England, with over 37,000 so far - about 90% of the total for the UK. The majority of the UK's deaths have been in England, with around 38,000 so far - about 90% of the total for the UK.
In Scotland, the official government figure for deaths is 2,464, but data on death registrations from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests it had reached nearly 4,070 by 14 June. Both sets of figures show the number of new deaths related to coronavirus in Scotland has been declining for seven weeks. In Scotland, the official government figure for deaths is 2,470, but data on death registrations from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests it had reached nearly 4,070 by 14 June. Both sets of figures show the number of new deaths related to coronavirus in Scotland has been declining for seven weeks.
In Wales, the death toll stands at 1,471 while Northern Ireland has recorded 543. In Wales, the death toll stands at 1,475 while Northern Ireland has recorded 544.
Last week's figures from the ONS show that while the number of reported deaths in the UK for the week to 5 June rose slightly, it remains close to the normal range for the time of year.Last week's figures from the ONS show that while the number of reported deaths in the UK for the week to 5 June rose slightly, it 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 England itself is also between 0.7 and 0.9, but slightly higher in the Midlands, where it is between 0.8 and 1.0, and in London and the North West, which are between 0.7 and 1.0.
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 0.6 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 level offNew cases level off
The number of newly confirmed cases each day has been falling since a peak in April but the seven-day rolling average has begun to level off.The number of newly confirmed cases each day has been falling since a peak in April but the seven-day rolling average has begun to level off.
New cases have been hovering between 1,000 and 1,500 for several days, with a further 1,218 cases announced on Thursday. New cases have been hovering between 1,000 and 1,500 for several days, with a further 1,346 cases announced on Friday.
The latest ONS estimates suggest there could be some 4,500 cases per day in England alone, not including those in hospitals and care homes.The latest ONS estimates suggest there could be some 4,500 cases per day in England alone, not including those in hospitals and care homes.
Chief Scientific Advisor Patrick Vallance has said the epidemic "is shrinking, but not fast," suggesting this means moving "very carefully" out of lockdown. However, the UK's coronavirus alert level was downgraded from four to three on Friday, after the country's chief medical officers said there had been a steady decrease in cases in all four nations.
Level three means the virus is still in general circulation but there could be a "gradual relaxation of restrictions".
The medical officers warned that this "does not mean that the pandemic is over" and that "localised outbreaks are likely to occur", urging the public to continue to follow safety guidance.
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 136,516 tests processed or posted in the 24 hours to 09:00 on Thursday. This figure does not represent the number of people tested, as some are tested more than once. The government announced there were 169,600 tests processed or posted in the 24 hours to 09:00 on Friday. 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.
Who is most at risk from coronavirusWho is most at risk from coronavirus
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.
The disease appears to disproportionally affect men in their 50s and 60s, and the death rate for men outstrips women across all age ranges.The disease appears to disproportionally affect men in their 50s and 60s, and the death rate for men outstrips women across all age ranges.
People with underlying health conditions are also at greater risk regardless of age.People with underlying health conditions are also at greater risk regardless of age.
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, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said that the government had "not got to the bottom of all the evidence". Another study found that South Asian people were the most likely to die from coronavirus after being admitted to hospital. It is the only ethnic group to have a raised risk of death in hospital, which researchers believe is partly due to high levels of diabetes.
He said ministers would wait to formulate a clear view before advising the public. The report, which involved universities and public health bodies across the UK, says ethnicity may now need to be considered alongside age and other health issues when deciding who gets a vaccine, if one becomes available.
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, when standardised for age.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, when standardised for age.
See the full ONS release here.See the full ONS release here.
Most hospitals seeing fewer coronavirus patientsMost hospitals 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 Thursday, the government said the number of people in hospital with coronavirus had fallen to 5,193 - down from 5,863 this time last week On Friday, the government said the number of people in hospital with coronavirus had fallen to 5,030 - down from 5,608 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.
On Thursday, government data showed 490 hospital admissions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 15 June, up from 458 on the same day last week.