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Covid-19 in the UK: How many coronavirus cases are there in your area? Covid-19 in the UK: How many coronavirus cases are there in your area?
(32 minutes later)
There have been more than 450,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far in the UK and more than 40,000 people have died, government figures show.There have been more than 450,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far in the UK and more than 40,000 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.
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.
The postcode search has been updated to replace data for health boards in Scotland with data for local councils. In England, data for county councils has been replaced with data for district councils. Figures for boroughs and unitary authorities remain unchanged.The postcode search has been updated to replace data for health boards in Scotland with data for local councils. In England, data for county councils has been replaced with data for district councils. Figures for boroughs and unitary authorities remain unchanged.
Cases and hospital admissions now risingCases and hospital admissions now rising
After a steady decline since the first peak in April, confirmed coronavirus cases have been rising again since July, with the rate of growth increasing sharply from the end of August.After a steady decline since the first peak in April, confirmed coronavirus cases have been rising again since July, with the rate of growth increasing sharply from the end of August.
On Friday, the country recorded 6,968 new cases, slightly down from more than 7,000 a day earlier in the week.On Friday, the country recorded 6,968 new cases, slightly down from more than 7,000 a day earlier in the week.
The official number of cases during the first peak earlier this year underestimated the number of people with coronavirus, as widespread testing was not available until mid-May.The official number of cases during the first peak earlier this year underestimated the number of people with coronavirus, as widespread testing was not available until mid-May.
Before then, tests were limited - mainly being used in hospitals and other care settings - and people with only mild symptoms would not have been tested.Before then, tests were limited - mainly being used in hospitals and other care settings - and people with only mild symptoms would not have been tested.
Extra restrictions to curb the spread of the virus are in place in many parts of the UK. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that the government would "not hesitate" to put further measures in place if required.Extra restrictions to curb the spread of the virus are in place in many parts of the UK. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that the government would "not hesitate" to put further measures in place if required.
Virus cases are increasing "quite rapidly" among older teenagers and young adults aged up to 21, and in certain areas of the country, such as north-west and north-east England, according to Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer.Virus cases are increasing "quite rapidly" among older teenagers and young adults aged up to 21, and in certain areas of the country, such as north-west and north-east England, according to Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer.
New figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest the number of infections in increasing more slowly than in previous weeks. But Sage, the body which advises the UK government, says it is still "highly likely" the epidemic is growing exponentially across the country.New figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest the number of infections in increasing more slowly than in previous weeks. But Sage, the body which advises the UK government, says it is still "highly likely" the epidemic is growing exponentially across the country.
What matters now is how the rise in cases translates into increases in hospital admissions and deaths, says BBC Health correspondent Nick Triggle.What matters now is how the rise in cases translates into increases in hospital admissions and deaths, says BBC Health correspondent Nick Triggle.
As hospital admissions rise, the latest government data shows 341 patients receiving mechanical ventilation, the highest figure since June.As hospital admissions rise, the latest government data shows 341 patients receiving mechanical ventilation, the highest figure since June.
An estimate from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), released on Friday, suggests that roughly one in 500 people in England had coronavirus in the week ending 24 September, only slightly down on the previous week.An estimate from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), released on Friday, suggests that roughly one in 500 people in England had coronavirus in the week ending 24 September, only slightly down on the previous week.
Based on tests in households for current infection, the ONS survey is thought to give one of the most accurate pictures of whether or not new cases are increasing.Based on tests in households for current infection, the ONS survey is thought to give one of the most accurate pictures of whether or not new cases are increasing.
Where are the current hotspots?Where are the current hotspots?
There are several local hotspots in the UK that have seen cases spike in recent weeks.There are several local hotspots in the UK that have seen cases spike in recent weeks.
The orange areas on the map below are those currently seeing the highest number of cases per 100,000 people.The orange areas on the map below are those currently seeing the highest number of cases per 100,000 people.
Last updated 30 September.
Extra restrictions have been introduced in many areas of the UK - including across the whole of Scotland and Northern Ireland.Extra restrictions have been introduced in many areas of the UK - including across the whole of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
On top of these national measures, parts of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and areas in the Midlands, Lancashire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire and north east England have seen additional rules imposed.On top of these national measures, parts of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and areas in the Midlands, Lancashire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire and north east England have seen additional rules imposed.
You can see a full breakdown of the areas under extra restrictions and the types of rules in place here.You can see a full breakdown of the areas under extra restrictions and the types of rules in place here.
Daily deaths starting to riseDaily deaths starting to rise
While the rate of growth in new cases has begun to increase again recently, the rise in daily deaths has remained relatively low.While the rate of growth in new cases has begun to increase again recently, the rise in daily deaths has remained relatively low.
The government announced 66 new deaths on Friday. There were 58 deaths in England, three in Wales, four in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland.The government announced 66 new deaths on Friday. There were 58 deaths in England, three in Wales, four in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland.
In August, the government's death toll in England was reduced by 5,340 following a review of the way coronavirus deaths are counted.In August, 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.
England has seen the majority of UK deaths from Covid-19. Using the 28-day cut-off, there have been more than 37,000.England has seen the majority of UK deaths from Covid-19. Using the 28-day cut-off, there have been more than 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 there are two other measures.But there are 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 most recent figures suggest there had been more than 57,000 deaths by 18 September.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 most recent figures suggest there had been more than 57,000 deaths by 18 September.
The third method looks at all UK deaths over and above the number usually expected for the time of year - known as excess deaths. This measure shows the death toll was almost 65,000 by 18 September.The third method looks at all UK deaths over and above the number usually expected for the time of year - known as excess deaths. This measure shows the death toll was almost 65,000 by 18 September.
There were 10,784 deaths registered in the UK in the week ending 18 September, about 2% above the expected level for this time of year.There were 10,784 deaths registered in the UK in the week ending 18 September, about 2% above the expected level for this time of year.
It was the second week in a row that Covid-19 registered deaths had risen across the UK - a total of 158 involved coronavirus, up 48 on the previous week. But the total is still far below the peak of 9,495 seen in April.It was the second week in a row that Covid-19 registered deaths had risen across the UK - a total of 158 involved coronavirus, up 48 on the previous week. But the total is still far below the peak of 9,495 seen in April.
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.
On Friday, the government raised its estimate for the R number across the whole of the UK to between 1.3 and 1.6.On Friday, the government raised its estimate for the R number across the whole of the UK to between 1.3 and 1.6.
The estimate for England is 1.2-1.6, while for Scotland it is 1.3-1.7. The estimate for Wales is 1.0-1.4 and in Northern Ireland it is 1.5.The estimate for England is 1.2-1.6, while for Scotland it is 1.3-1.7. The estimate for Wales is 1.0-1.4 and in Northern Ireland it is 1.5.
The government has said in the past that the R number is one of the most important factors in making policy decisions.The government has said in the past that the R number is one of the most important factors in making policy decisions.