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Coronavirus in the UK: How many confirmed cases are there in your area? Coronavirus in the UK: How many confirmed cases are there in your area?
(1 day later)
There have been more than 320,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far in the UK and over 41,000 people have died, government figures show. There have been more than 320,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far in the UK and about 41,000 people have died, government figures show.
However, these figures include only people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus and other measures suggest the number of deaths is higher.However, these figures include only people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus and other measures suggest the number of deaths is higher.
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures have revealed that more than 56,000 people who died before 7 August - and who may not have been tested - had coronavirus mentioned on their death certificates. 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.
Rise in new cases amid concern over hotspotsRise in new cases amid concern over hotspots
Daily confirmed cases began edging up again in July - after falling significantly from their April peak - as lockdown restrictions imposed in March were eased.Daily confirmed cases began edging up again in July - after falling significantly from their April peak - as lockdown restrictions imposed in March were eased.
A further easing of lockdown restrictions was postponed last month. However, many businesses which had remained closed, such as bowling alleys and soft play centres, were allowed to reopen at the weekend. On Friday, the government said there had been 1,033 newly-confirmed cases.
On Thursday, the government said there had been 1,182 newly-confirmed cases. In July, the rise in cases was partly due to the increase in testing - if you are testing more, you are likely to find more cases. But the number of tests being processed each day has plateaued since the beginning of August, according to government data.
In recent weeks, the rise in cases had been partly due to the increase in testing. If you are testing more, you are likely to find more cases, and many tests are being targeted at areas where infection rates are highest. The most recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which surveys a sample of households in England for current infections, suggests there was a small increase in the percentage of people testing positive for Covid-19 in July, but this appears to have now levelled off.
But the most recent figures from NHS England show a slight drop in the number of tests along with an increase in the number returning positive. In the week ending 12 August, the proportion of positive tests jumped sharply from 1.2% to 1.5%. There are several local hotspots in the UK which have seen a spike in cases since the nationwide lockdown ended.
The most recent data from the ONS, which surveys a sample of households in England for current infections - not including care homes or hospitals - suggested that coronavirus cases are stable across most of England. The next release of that data will help us understand whether this is still the case. Public Health England produce a weekly watchlist of areas of concern, based on an assessment of incidence rates, and other indicators such as trends in testing, healthcare activity and deaths.
The government has pledged to increase the size of this survey - from 28,000 to 150,000 a fortnight by October - to gain a clearer picture of how many people in the general population are infected at any given time. Birmingham and Northampton are the latest areas to be added to the list, while restrictions already in place in Oldham, Pendle and Blackburn have been tightened. Wigan, Darwen and Rossendale have now been dropped from the list after the situation improved in all three.
There are now several local hotspots in the UK which have seen a spike in cases since the nationwide lockdown ended.
Last week Newark and Sherwood was added to the list of places, many in the north-west of the country, where lockdown measures have been re-introduced. Some businesses, like nail bars, are being allowed to reopen from Wednesday in Leicester - the first area to be subject to a local lockdown on 29 June.
In Scotland, a lockdown in Aberdeen has been extended for another week.In Scotland, a lockdown in Aberdeen has been extended for another week.
A Covid-19 watchlist is produced by Public Health England, based on an assessment of incidence rates, and other indicators such as trends in testing, healthcare activity and deaths. Decline in daily deaths continues
Decline in daily deaths While the number of new confirmed cases of coronavirus has been rising again recently, government-announced deaths have continued to fall since a peak in mid-April.
While the number of new confirmed cases of coronavirus is rising again, government-announced deaths have continued to fall since a peak in mid-April. On Friday, the government reported two further deaths in England. There were no new deaths announced in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales.
On Thursday the government reported 6 further deaths in England. Earlier this month, the government's death toll in England was reduced by 5,340 following a review of the way coronavirus deaths are counted.
There were no new deaths announced in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales.
Last week the government's death toll in England was reduced by 5,340 following a review of the way coronavirus deaths are counted.
New rules mean deaths anywhere in the UK are included in the coronavirus total only if they occurred within 28 days of a positive test. Previously in England, all deaths after a positive test were included.New rules mean deaths anywhere in the UK are included in the coronavirus total only if they occurred within 28 days of a positive test. Previously in England, all deaths after a positive test were included.
New weekly totals giving the number of deaths in England within 60 days of a positive test are also to be released. Deaths occurring after this time will also be added to the total if Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.
England has seen the majority of UK deaths from Covid-19. Using the 28-day cut-off, there have been just under 37,000.England has seen the majority of UK deaths from Covid-19. Using the 28-day cut-off, there have been just under 37,000.
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 deaths in three different ways.When looking at the overall death toll from coronavirus, official figures count deaths in three different ways.
Government figures count people who tested positive for coronavirus and died within 28 days.Government figures count people who tested positive for coronavirus and died within 28 days.
But the ONS publishes weekly updates using two other measures.But the 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. Tuesday's figures suggest there had been more than 56,000 deaths by 7 August.The first includes all deaths where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate, even if the person had not been tested for the virus. Tuesday's figures suggest there had been more than 56,000 deaths by 7 August.
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 figure for this measure shows the death toll was below 64,000 by 7 August.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 figure for this measure shows the death toll was below 64,000 by 7 August.
In recent weeks, figures used in this third measure have been falling.In recent weeks, figures used in this third measure have 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 eight 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 eight weeks in a row.
Of the deaths registered in England and Wales in the week to 7 August, 152 involved coronavirus, or just 1.7% of the total of 8,945.Of the deaths registered in England and Wales in the week to 7 August, 152 involved coronavirus, or just 1.7% of the total of 8,945.
Figures released by the ONS at the end of July show that England had the highest levels of excess deaths in Europe between the end of February and the middle of June. The government has argued it is too soon to make definitive international comparisons but, as the impact of the first wave becomes clear, analysis is beginning to suggest the UK has been one of the hardest hit countries.
Figures released by the ONS at the end of July showed 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. Scotland saw the third highest death rate in Europe - behind England and Spain. Wales was in fifth place and Northern Ireland in eighth.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. Scotland saw the third highest death rate in Europe - behind England and Spain. Wales was in fifth place and Northern Ireland in eighth.
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 current estimate by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, known as Sage, for the R number across the whole of the UK is between 0.8 and 1.0 as of 14 August. The current estimate by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, known as Sage, for the R number across the whole of the UK is between 0.9 and 1.1.
The estimate for England is between 0.8 and 1.0, while for Scotland it is between 0.6 and 1.0. The estimate for Wales is 0.7-0.9. The estimate for England is between 0.9 and 1.0, while for Scotland it is between 0.8 and 1.2. The estimate for Wales is 0.8-1.0 and in Northern Ireland it is 1.0-1.6.
In Northern Ireland, it is between 1.2 and 2.0. The government has said in the past that the R number is one of the most important factors in making policy decisions, but Sage now says these estimates are less reliable and less useful because the number of cases is relatively low.
While 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, it now says these estimates do not fully represent current infection levels.
Sage says it is no longer confident R is below 1 in England. It says models using testing data, rather than epidemiological data such as hospital admissions, to predict transmission rates are suggesting higher values for R and these are likely to be reflected in the coming weeks.