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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?
(1 day later)
There have been more than 500,000 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 500,000 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.
The most recent daily figure for England shows 524 people admitted to hospital with Covid-19 - double the number two weeks ago.
On Thursday, Health Minister Nadine Dorries predicted hospitals would reach a "critical" point within 10 days.
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.
New cases continue to rise after data problemNew cases continue to rise after data problem
On Wednesday, the government announced 14,162 confirmed cases - slightly lower than Tuesday's figure - but the overall trend is still rising steeply. The government announced 17,540 confirmed cases on Thursday - an increase of more than 3,000 compared with Wednesday's total of 14,162.
Over the weekend the government confirmed 35,833 new cases - around 16,000 of these were positive tests from earlier in the week which had not been reported in the daily figures due to a data processing problem. Last weekend the government confirmed 35,833 new cases - around 16,000 of these were positive tests from earlier in the week which had not been reported in the daily figures due to a data processing problem.
It means that although the case numbers looked relatively stable last week - they were, in fact, continuing to rise.It means that although the case numbers looked relatively stable last week - they were, in fact, continuing to rise.
The government says all the missing confirmed cases have now been added to the total.The government says all the missing confirmed cases have now been added to the total.
After a steady decline since the first peak in April, confirmed coronavirus cases started rising again in July, with the rate of growth increasing sharply from the end of August. After a steady decline since the first peak in April, confirmed cases started rising again in July, with the rate of growth increasing sharply from the end of August.
Sage, the body which advises the UK government, says it is still "highly likely" the epidemic is growing exponentially across the country.Sage, the body which advises the UK government, says it is still "highly likely" the epidemic is growing exponentially across the country.
The official number of cases during the first peak 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 underestimated the number of people with coronavirus, as widespread testing was not available until mid-May.
With hospital admissions also now rising again, the latest government data shows 410 patients receiving mechanical ventilation, the highest figure since June. Hospital admissions vary around the UK
However, the figures vary considerably across the UK, with admissions highest in North West England and the North East and Yorkshire. The latest figures show hospital admission rates for Covid-19 patients rising most quickly in the North West and the North East and Yorkshire region.
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. With rising Covid-19 admissions, there have been warnings that hospitals will have to cut back core services.
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. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the UK is in a "perilous" position, and the ability of the NHS to see non-Covid patients is under threat.
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 where cases have spiked 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.
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, and areas of Wales, Northern England the Midlands.
On Wednesday, the Scottish government announced a further tightening of restrictions across the country's central belt, which includes Edinburgh and Glasgow. All pubs and restaurants are to be closed for 16 days from Friday, shops are being asked to return to 2m distancing and face coverings are being made compulsory in more indoor settings, like work canteens and corridors. Restrictions are expected to be further tightened in parts of England early next week, with the closure of bars and restaurants a possibility.
Additional measures have also been imposed in parts of Wales, Northern Ireland and areas in the Midlands, Lancashire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire and north east England. On Wednesday, the Scottish government introduced tougher measures across the country's central region, which includes Edinburgh and Glasgow.
All pubs and restaurants are to be closed for 16 days from Friday, shops are being asked to return to 2m distancing and face coverings will become compulsory in more indoor settings, like work canteens and corridors.
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 daily cases are rising quite quickly now, the rise in deaths has been slower.While daily cases are rising quite quickly now, the rise in deaths has been slower.
The government announced 70 new deaths on Wednesday - the highest total since June. Of these deaths, three were in Wales, one in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland - the remainder were in England. The government announced 77 new deaths on Thursday - the highest total since June. Of these deaths, five were in Scotland, one was in Wales and one in Northern Ireland - the remainder were in England.
In August, the government's death toll in England was reduced by 5,340 following a review of the way coronavirus deaths are counted. Three times as many people have died from Covid-19 than from flu and pneumonia in England and Wales this year, according to official figures.
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. Between January and August 2020, there were 48,168 deaths due to Covid-19 compared to 13,600 from pneumonia. Only 394 were due to flu.
Rules were were amended over the summer to include deaths 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 25 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 25 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 more than 65,000 by 25 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 more than 65,000 by 25 September.
There were 10,861 deaths registered in the UK in the week ending 25 September, less than 2% above the expected level for this time of year.There were 10,861 deaths registered in the UK in the week ending 25 September, less than 2% above the expected level for this time of year.
It was the third week in a row that Covid-19 registered deaths had risen across the UK - a total of 234 involved coronavirus, up from a low of 83 three weeks ago. But the total is still far below the peak of 9,495 seen in April.It was the third week in a row that Covid-19 registered deaths had risen across the UK - a total of 234 involved coronavirus, up from a low of 83 three weeks ago. 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. Last 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.