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 212 Version 213
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 nearly 300,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 44,000 people have died, government figures show.There have been nearly 300,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 44,000 people have died, government figures show.
These numbers only include people who have been tested, and the total number of deaths relating to coronavirus is likely to be higher. These numbers only include people who have been tested, and the actual death toll will be higher.
New cases decline - but concern over hotspotsNew cases decline - but concern over hotspots
Across the country, the number of newly confirmed cases each day has been falling since a peak in April.Across the country, the number of newly confirmed cases each day has been falling since a peak in April.
But the virus is spreading more quickly in some areas than others, causing localised hotspots. Find out how the pandemic has affected your area and how it compares with the national average:
Merthyr Tydfil saw the highest rate in the UK, with 179 out of every 100,000 people testing positive in the week to 30 June. The spike is attributed to an outbreak at a local meat processing plant. Public Health England figures on coronavirus cases were updated on 2 July to include people tested in the wider community, as well as hospitals and healthcare workers, causing the numbers to increase sharply. Figures for the rest of the UK already included people tested in the wider population.
The government announced it was re-imposing lockdown measures in Leicester last week, after a jump in cases. Figures released on Thursday showed Leicester still had the highest infection rate in England - with 141 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 28 June. If you can't see the look-up click here.
But though the national trend in new coronavirus cases is down, in some areas the virus is spreading more quickly, leading to localised hotspots.
The most recent data shows Merthyr Tydfil has the highest rate of positive tests in the UK, with 179 out of every 100,000 people testing positive in the week to 30 June. The spike is attributed to an outbreak at a local meat processing plant.
The most discussed local hotspot is Leicester, where the government announced it was re-imposing lockdown measures last week, after a jump in cases. Figures released on Thursday showed Leicester still had the highest infection rate in England - with 141 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 28 June.
A full list of infection rates for local areas is at the bottom of this page.A full list of infection rates for local areas is at the bottom of this page.
Until recently, the only figures available to local authorities were the results of hospital testing. However, more testing is now taking place in the wider community.Until recently, the only figures available to local authorities were the results of hospital testing. However, more testing is now taking place in the wider community.
The Department of Health says a data-sharing agreement has now been reached with local authorities, which will give them access to the number of people testing positive in the community in their area.The Department of Health says a data-sharing agreement has now been reached with local authorities, which will give them access to the number of people testing positive in the community in their area.
It should mean that new hotspots can be quickly identified and measures taken to restrict the spread of the disease.It should mean that new hotspots can be quickly identified and measures taken to restrict the spread of the disease.
The chart below shows how the growth in community testing (pale blue) has become more significant as positive hospital test results (dark blue) have declined.The chart below shows how the growth in community testing (pale blue) has become more significant as positive hospital test results (dark blue) have declined.
Find out how the pandemic has affected your area and how it compares with the national average: Downward trend of daily deaths has slowed
Public Health England figures on coronavirus cases were updated on 2 July to include people tested in the wider community, as well as hospitals and healthcare workers, causing the numbers to increase sharply. Figures for the rest of the UK already included people tested in the wider population. Government-announced deaths from coronavirus peaked mid-April and have been steadily falling since, though the downward trend seems to have slowed recently.
If you can't see the look-up click here. On Monday, the government announced a further 16 deaths in the UK. Figures reported over the weekend are lower than those in the middle of the week, as shown on the the chart below, but the low number of deaths announced on Monday is in line with the recent trend.
The UK has the highest official death toll in Europe and the third highest in the world, after the US and Brazil.
The government has argued it is too soon to make definitive international comparisons but, as the impact of the first wave becomes clear in many countries, analysis is beginning to suggest the UK has been the hardest hit of the leading G7 nations.
The majority of the UK's deaths have been in England, with about 40,000 so far - around 90% of the total for the UK.
Scotland has reported no new deaths since Friday, so the official death toll remains at 2,488. But data on death registrations from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests there had been 4,155 deaths by 28 June.
Wales has recorded 1,531 deaths and Northern Ireland 554.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the number of deaths from all causes registered in a single week has fallen below the five-year average for the first time since mid-March.Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the number of deaths from all causes registered in a single week has fallen below the five-year average for the first time since mid-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 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.
Lockdown restrictions came into force across the UK at the end of that month. The number of new cases came to a peak mid-April and have been falling steadily since.Lockdown restrictions came into force across the UK at the end of that month. The number of new cases came to a peak mid-April and have been falling steadily since.
The number of deaths as a result of the virus can be measured in three ways. The government's daily announcement counts deaths with a positive test result.The number of deaths as a result of the virus can be measured in three ways. The government's daily announcement counts deaths with a positive test result.
But the ONS also counts death certificates mentioning the virus. This measure suggests there had been almost 54,000 deaths by 19 June.But the ONS also counts death certificates mentioning the virus. This measure suggests there had been almost 54,000 deaths by 19 June.
When looking at deaths over and above the expected number for this time of year - the third way of measuring - the coronavirus death toll rises to more than 65,000 by the same date.When looking at deaths over and above the expected number for this time of year - the third way of measuring - the coronavirus death toll rises to more than 65,000 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 8% of all deaths in the UK in the week to 19 June, according to death registration data - a drop from 11% the previous week.Coronavirus accounted for about 8% of all deaths in the UK in the week to 19 June, according to death registration data - a drop from 11% 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%.
Downward trend of daily deaths has slowed
Government-announced deaths from coronavirus peaked mid-April and have been steadily falling since, though the downward trend seems to have slowed recently.
On Sunday, the government announced a further 22 deaths in the UK.
The UK has the highest official death toll in Europe and the third highest in the world, after the US and Brazil.
The government has argued it is too soon to make definitive international comparisons but, as the impact of the first wave becomes clear in many countries, analysis is beginning to suggest the UK has been the hardest hit of the leading G7 nations.
The majority of the UK's deaths have been in England, with about 40,000 so far - around 90% of the total for the UK.
Scotland reported no new deaths on Saturday or Sunday, so the official death toll remained at 2,488. But data on death registrations from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests there had been 4,155 deaths by 28 June.
Wales has recorded 1,531 deaths and Northern Ireland 554.
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 England itself is also between 0.7 and 0.9, but highest in London where it is between 0.8 and 1.1.The government says England itself is also between 0.7 and 0.9, but highest in London where it is between 0.8 and 1.1.
The estimate for Scotland is between 0.6 and 0.8. In Northern Ireland, it is between 0.3 and 0.8, 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 0.3 and 0.8, 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.
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 has 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" and government figures now include the number of tests which have been processed as well as how many have been requested each day.
The government said 164,849 tests had been made available in the 24 hours to 09:00 on Sunday and of those, 125,622 had been processed. The government said 143,457 tests had been made available in the 24 hours to 09:00 on Monday and of those, 97,315 had been processed.
In total, just over eight million tests have been processed so far.In total, just over eight million tests have been processed so far.
Who is most at risk from coronavirus?Who 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 also 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 also 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.
Another study found that South Asian people were the most likely to die from coronavirus after being admitted to hospital. It was the only ethnic group found to have a raised risk of death in hospital, which researchers believe is partly due to high levels of diabetes.Another study found that South Asian people were the most likely to die from coronavirus after being admitted to hospital. It was the only ethnic group found to have a raised risk of death in hospital, which researchers believe is partly due to high levels of diabetes.
The most deprived parts of England and Wales have been hit twice as hard by coronavirus as wealthier areas, according to the ONS.The most deprived parts of England and Wales have been hit twice as hard by coronavirus as wealthier areas, according to the ONS.
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.
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.
Infection rates by areaInfection rates by area
Here's a full list so you can see whether the number of people testing positive per 100,000 in your area has gone up or down.Here's a full list so you can see whether the number of people testing positive per 100,000 in your area has gone up or down.