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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 nearly 300,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 44,500 people have died, government figures show.There have been nearly 300,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 44,500 people have died, government figures show.
These numbers only include people who have been tested, and the actual death toll will 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.
On Wednesday a further 630 new cases were reported. On Thursday, a further 642 cases were reported.
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:
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.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.
If you can't see the look-up click here.If you can't see the look-up click here.
Though the national trend in new coronavirus cases is down, in some areas the virus is spreading more quickly, leading to localised hotspots. Data from Public Health England show that confirmed infections have fallen by 25% in the week to 5 July.
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. There were just over 3,300 positive tests in the week to 5 July compared to 4,400 positive tests in the week to 28 June.
The most discussed local hotspot is Leicester, where the government announced it was re-imposing lockdown measures last week, after a jump in cases. Merthyr Tydfil, which last week saw the highest incidence of positive tests at more than 170 per 100,000, fell this week to 3 per 100,000.
Figures released last Thursday showed Leicester had the highest infection rate in England - with 141 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 28 June. The spike was attributed to an outbreak at a local meat processing plant.
A full list of infection rates for local areas is at the bottom of this page. And cases in Leicester, which saw lockdown measures re-imposed last week, have fallen to around 120 per 100,000 compared with about 140 per 100,000 last week.
The top 10 local authorities in the UK, after Leicester, all saw fewer than 30 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 5 July.
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 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 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 positive cases identified through 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 positive cases identified through community testing (pale blue) has become more significant as positive hospital test results (dark blue) have declined.
Downward trend of daily deaths has slowedDownward trend of daily deaths has slowed
Government-announced deaths from coronavirus peaked mid-April and have been steadily falling since then, though the downward trend seems to have slowed recently.Government-announced deaths from coronavirus peaked mid-April and have been steadily falling since then, though the downward trend seems to have slowed recently.
On Wednesday, the government announced a further 126 deaths in the UK. On Thursday, the government announced a further 85 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 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 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.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.
On Wednesday Scotland reported one death, bringing its total to 2,490. But data on death registrations from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests there had been 4,173 deaths by 5 July. Scotland reported no new deaths on Thursday, and its official death toll remains 2,490. Data on death registrations from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests there had been 4,173 deaths by 5 July.
The NRS report said there were 17 coronavirus-related deaths in the week to 5 July, down from 18 the previous week. It's the tenth weekly reduction in a row.The NRS report said there were 17 coronavirus-related deaths in the week to 5 July, down from 18 the previous week. It's the tenth weekly reduction in a row.
Wales has recorded 1,538 deaths and Northern Ireland 554. Wales has recorded 1,540 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 second consecutive week.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 second consecutive week.
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 more than 54,500 deaths by 26 June.But the ONS also counts death certificates mentioning the virus. This measure suggests there had been more than 54,500 deaths by 26 June.
When looking at deaths over and above the expected number for the period of the pandemic - the third way of measuring - the coronavirus death toll rises to almost 65,000 by the same date. This represents a decrease on last week's total because there have now been fewer deaths than expected for two weeks running, so the overall total is shrinking.When looking at deaths over and above the expected number for the period of the pandemic - the third way of measuring - the coronavirus death toll rises to almost 65,000 by the same date. This represents a decrease on last week's total because there have now been fewer deaths than expected for two weeks running, so the overall total is shrinking.
Some of the excess deaths are likely to include people with undiagnosed coronavirus or those who died as an indirect result of the pandemic.Some of the excess deaths are likely to include people with undiagnosed coronavirus or those who died as an indirect result of the pandemic.
Coronavirus accounted for about 6% of all deaths in the UK in the week to 26 June, according to death registration data - a drop from 8% the previous week.Coronavirus accounted for about 6% of all deaths in the UK in the week to 26 June, according to death registration data - a drop from 8% the previous week.
When deaths from the virus were at their peak back in April, this figure reached almost 40%.When deaths from the virus were at their peak back in April, this figure reached almost 40%.
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. Though the number of tests reported each day has only occasionally been near that capacity.The UK exceeded its target to increase testing capacity to 200,000 a day by the end of May. Though the number of tests reported each day has only occasionally been near that capacity.
The government said 240,340 tests had been made available in the 24 hours to 09:00 on Wednesday and of those, 125,978 had been processed.The government said 240,340 tests had been made available in the 24 hours to 09:00 on Wednesday and of those, 125,978 had been processed.
In total, more than eight million tests have been processed so far.In total, more than 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.
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.