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Coronavirus: How many confirmed cases are there in your area? Coronavirus: How many confirmed cases are there in your area?
(about 5 hours later)
There have been more than 300,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far in the UK and over 45,000 people have died, government figures show. However, these numbers only include people tested, and the actual death toll is higher. There have been more than 300,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far in the UK and around 46,000 people have died, government figures show. However, these numbers only include people tested, and the actual death toll is higher.
Here we a take a look at some of the key figures of the pandemic in the UK - estimates of the death toll and whether cases are rising or falling. You can also find out more about cases in your area using our search tool and map.Here we a take a look at some of the key figures of the pandemic in the UK - estimates of the death toll and whether cases are rising or falling. You can also find out more about cases in your area using our search tool and map.
The number of new cases seen each day has risen by almost a quarter over the last fortnight. This is slower than the increase in Spain but scientists have warned that the situation needs to be monitored closely. The number of new cases seen each day has risen by almost a quarter over the last fortnight. This is slower than the increase in Spain, for example, but scientists have warned that the situation needs to be monitored closely.
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.
Slow rise in new cases amid concern over hotspotsSlow rise in new cases amid concern over hotspots
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 and the number of new confirmed cases continued to rise until April, before starting to fall steadily throughout May and June.Lockdown restrictions came into force across the UK at the end of that month and the number of new confirmed cases continued to rise until April, before starting to fall steadily throughout May and June.
However confirmed cases are now starting to rise again. While levels of infection are far below their peak, the most recent seven-day average for cases in the UK is 725 - a rise of 25% since 15 July. However confirmed cases are now starting to rise again. While levels of infection are far below their peak, the most recent seven-day average for cases in the UK is 737- a rise of 26% since 16 July.
Experts say it is still too soon to know whether this is due to more and better testing, or the start of the larger rises as we have seen recently in other countries. On Thursday, a further 846 new cases were reported.
On Wednesday, a further 763 new cases were reported.
Since some of the March lockdown restrictions were eased, a number of local outbreaks have been identified across the country. Health Secretary Matt Hancock says targeted action is being taken every week against such clusters of infections.Since some of the March lockdown restrictions were eased, a number of local outbreaks have been identified across the country. Health Secretary Matt Hancock says targeted action is being taken every week against such clusters of infections.
Oldham in Greater Manchester is the current focus of concern, with cases rising significantly in the last week.Oldham in Greater Manchester is the current focus of concern, with cases rising significantly in the last week.
Residents have been asked not to invite anyone to their homes and follow 2-metre social distancing outside to avoid a 'strict' local lockdown.Residents have been asked not to invite anyone to their homes and follow 2-metre social distancing outside to avoid a 'strict' local lockdown.
Other hotspots include Blackburn with Darwen and Luton in Bedfordshire. Both towns say gyms and other leisure facilities will remain closed for the time being.Other hotspots include Blackburn with Darwen and Luton in Bedfordshire. Both towns say gyms and other leisure facilities will remain closed for the time being.
Local lockdown measures were announced in Leicester at the end of June and although non-essential shops were told last Friday they could reopen, people have been urged not to leave their homes just to go shopping.Local lockdown measures were announced in Leicester at the end of June and although non-essential shops were told last Friday they could reopen, people have been urged not to leave their homes just to go shopping.
Public Health England has also produced a coronavirus watchlist of areas, based on an assessment of incidence rates, and other indicators such as trends in testing, local responses and plans, healthcare activity and mortality.Public Health England has also produced a coronavirus watchlist of areas, based on an assessment of incidence rates, and other indicators such as trends in testing, local responses and plans, healthcare activity and mortality.
Decline in daily deaths has slowedDecline in daily deaths has slowed
While the fall in the number of new cases of coronavirus appears to have stalled, government-announced deaths have continued to drop since a peak in mid-April, though the downward trend has slowed recently.While the fall in the number of new cases of coronavirus appears to have stalled, government-announced deaths have continued to drop since a peak in mid-April, though the downward trend has slowed recently.
On Wednesday a further 83 deaths were reported, down slightly from 116 on Tuesday. On Thursday, a further 38 deaths were reported, down from 83 on Wednesday.
The latest figures were published on the government's coronavirus dashboard - although a review is taking place into the way deaths from coronavirus are counted in England. The latest figures are published on the government's coronavirus dashboard - although a review is taking place into the way deaths from coronavirus are counted in England.
Public Health England have confirmed that reported deaths may have included people who tested positive months before they died. Other UK nations include only those who died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus.Public Health England have confirmed that reported deaths may have included people who tested positive months before they died. Other UK nations include only those who died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told a Commons committee previously that the results of the review would be published "very, very shortly".Health Secretary Matt Hancock told a Commons committee previously that the results of the review would be published "very, very shortly".
The majority of the UK's deaths have been in England, with just over 41,000 so far.The majority of the UK's deaths have been in England, with just over 41,000 so far.
Five further deaths were reported in Wales on Wednesday. There were no new deaths in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Two further deaths were reported in Wales on Thursday. There were no new deaths in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Overall death toll could be more than 60,000Overall death toll could be more than 60,000
When looking at the overall death toll from coronavirus, official figures count such deaths in three different ways.When looking at the overall death toll from coronavirus, official figures count such deaths in three different ways.
On a daily basis, Public Health England counts the deaths of people who have tested positive for coronavirus, providing the government with a figure it announces each 24 hours. Public Health England counts the deaths of people who have tested positive for coronavirus, providing the government with a figure it announces each 24 hours.
But the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes weekly updates using two other measures.But the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes weekly updates using two other measures.
The first includes all deaths where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate, even if the person had not been tested for the virus. The latest figures using this measure suggest there had been more than 55,000 deaths by 17 July.The first includes all deaths where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate, even if the person had not been tested for the virus. The latest figures using this measure suggest there had been more than 55,000 deaths by 17 July.
The ONS also looks at all UK deaths over and above the number usually expected for the time of year. The latest figures for this measure show the death toll was just under 64,000 up to 17 July. The ONS also looks at all UK deaths over and above the number usually expected for the time of year - known as excess deaths. The latest figures for this measure show the death toll was just under 64,000 up to 17 July.
In recent weeks, figures used in this third measure have actually been falling.In recent weeks, figures used in this third measure have actually been falling.
This is because the number of deaths from all causes registered in a single week - including coronavirus - has now stayed below the five-year average for four weeks in a row.This is because the number of deaths from all causes registered in a single week - including coronavirus - has now stayed below the five-year average for four weeks in a row.
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.
However, both countries have much larger populations than the UK and the number of people who have died per 100,000 people in the UK is currently higher than for either the US or Brazil.However, both countries have much larger populations than the UK and the number of people who have died per 100,000 people in the UK is currently higher than for either the US or Brazil.
Figures released on Thursday show that England had the highest levels of excess deaths in Europe between the end of February and the middle of June.
Some areas of Spain and Italy were harder hit than UK cities. But ONS analysis shows the epidemic in the UK was more widespread than in other countries, with Scotland seeing the third highest death rate in Europe.
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.
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 in England itself it is between 0.8 and 1.0.The government says in England itself it is between 0.8 and 1.0.
The estimate for Scotland is between 0.6 and 0.9. In Northern Ireland it is between 0.7 and 0.9, while it is between 0.6 and 0.8 in Wales.The estimate for Scotland is between 0.6 and 0.9. In Northern Ireland it is between 0.7 and 0.9, while it is between 0.6 and 0.8 in Wales.
The government has said in the past that the R number is one of the most important factors in deciding when lockdown measures can be eased. But it now says that infection rates are too low to calculate R precisely in all areas of the UK.The government has said in the past that the R number is one of the most important factors in deciding when lockdown measures can be eased. But it now says that infection rates are too low to calculate R precisely in all areas of the UK.