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Coronavirus in UK: How many confirmed cases are there in your area? Coronavirus in UK: How many confirmed cases are there in your area?
(32 minutes later)
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK is on the rise, with more than 38,000 people now testing positive across the country. A total of 3,605 people confirmed to have had the virus have died.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK is on the rise, with more than 38,000 people now testing positive across the country. A total of 3,605 people confirmed to have had the virus have died.
The actual number of people with the respiratory infection in the UK is estimated to be much higher though - as only those in hospital are currently tested. The actual number of people with the respiratory infection in the UK is estimated to be much higher though - as only those in hospital and some NHS staff are currently tested.
About 135,000 people in the UK have so far been tested and found not to have the virus.About 135,000 people in the UK have so far been tested and found not to have the virus.
Find out how many people have confirmed cases in your area:Find out how many people have confirmed cases in your area:
If you can't see the look-up click here.If you can't see the look-up click here.
The following charts and graphics will help you understand the situation in the UK and how the authorities are responding.The following charts and graphics will help you understand the situation in the UK and how the authorities are responding.
1. The number of UK cases is on the rise1. The number of UK cases is on the rise
The new coronavirus, which causes the respiratory disease known as Covid-19, was first confirmed in the UK at the end of January.The new coronavirus, which causes the respiratory disease known as Covid-19, was first confirmed in the UK at the end of January.
While there were a number of people testing positive throughout February, figures in the UK began to increase at the beginning of March.While there were a number of people testing positive throughout February, figures in the UK began to increase at the beginning of March.
Numbers are now increasing rapidly - the number of cases has increased by more than 4,400 since Thursday, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.Numbers are now increasing rapidly - the number of cases has increased by more than 4,400 since Thursday, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
On 23 March the government introduced a series of restrictions on people's movement in a bid to slow the virus's spread.On 23 March the government introduced a series of restrictions on people's movement in a bid to slow the virus's spread.
Professor Stephen Powis, Medical Director of NHS England, said what appeared to be a slight slowing in the rate of new cases could be seen as "green shoots", but the next week or two would be critical in the battle against the virus.Professor Stephen Powis, Medical Director of NHS England, said what appeared to be a slight slowing in the rate of new cases could be seen as "green shoots", but the next week or two would be critical in the battle against the virus.
A number of temporary "Nightingale hospitals" are being set up across the country to increase the NHS's ability to deal with the crisis.A number of temporary "Nightingale hospitals" are being set up across the country to increase the NHS's ability to deal with the crisis.
The new hospitals will treat patients in makeshift critical care units at:The new hospitals will treat patients in makeshift critical care units at:
Another hospital will also be established at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff - though this is not classed as a Nightingale facility.Another hospital will also be established at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff - though this is not classed as a Nightingale facility.
Work has also started to turn part of Birmingham Airport into a mortuary able to store at least 1,500 bodies, should the death toll rise significantly.Work has also started to turn part of Birmingham Airport into a mortuary able to store at least 1,500 bodies, should the death toll rise significantly.
Retired NHS staff have been asked to return to work. A government appeal for volunteers to help deliver food and medicine to the vulnerable has prompted more than 750,000 responses.Retired NHS staff have been asked to return to work. A government appeal for volunteers to help deliver food and medicine to the vulnerable has prompted more than 750,000 responses.
Globally, authorities have confirmed more than one million cases of the coronavirus and at least 55,000 deaths.Globally, authorities have confirmed more than one million cases of the coronavirus and at least 55,000 deaths.
About half the global cases have been in Europe.About half the global cases have been in Europe.
2. UK deaths are also increasing2. UK deaths are also increasing
The number of people confirmed to have had coronavirus and died has risen by 684 to 3,605.The number of people confirmed to have had coronavirus and died has risen by 684 to 3,605.
The majority of those who have died having had coronavirus in the UK have been in England, with 3,302 deaths there.The majority of those who have died having had coronavirus in the UK have been in England, with 3,302 deaths there.
In Scotland, 172 people have died so far, while the figure in Wales is 141. Northern Ireland has seen a total of 48 deaths.In Scotland, 172 people have died so far, while the figure in Wales is 141. Northern Ireland has seen a total of 48 deaths.
Most deaths have been among the elderly.Most deaths have been among the elderly.
Figures released by NHS England show that about half of deaths have been among people aged over 80.Figures released by NHS England show that about half of deaths have been among people aged over 80.
The UK's overall death figure, which is confirmed cases reported up to 17:00 BST the previous day, only includes people who died in hospital and tested positive for coronavirus.The UK's overall death figure, which is confirmed cases reported up to 17:00 BST the previous day, only includes people who died in hospital and tested positive for coronavirus.
It does not include deaths in the community, for example in care homes, or people who have died in their own homes.It does not include deaths in the community, for example in care homes, or people who have died in their own homes.
This means that the true death toll will be higher.This means that the true death toll will be higher.
3. But UK deaths are lower than other countries3. But UK deaths are lower than other countries
At the moment, the number of confirmed cases and deaths in the UK remains lower than some other European countries.At the moment, the number of confirmed cases and deaths in the UK remains lower than some other European countries.
For example, in Italy there have been more than 115,000 confirmed cases and nearly 14,000 deaths.For example, in Italy there have been more than 115,000 confirmed cases and nearly 14,000 deaths.
But while the increase in the number of deaths each day appears to be slowing in Italy, in the UK the number is still doubling every two to three days.But while the increase in the number of deaths each day appears to be slowing in Italy, in the UK the number is still doubling every two to three days.
4. We are testing more people, but not as many as other countries4. We are testing more people, but not as many as other countries
Increasing the number of people being tested for coronavirus will play a key part in analysing its spread in the UK.Increasing the number of people being tested for coronavirus will play a key part in analysing its spread in the UK.
The government has faced criticism over a shortage of testing, including the inability to test NHS staff who have symptoms but are unsure if they have the virus.The government has faced criticism over a shortage of testing, including the inability to test NHS staff who have symptoms but are unsure if they have the virus.
In recent weeks, most of the tests have been reserved for seriously ill patients in hospital.In recent weeks, most of the tests have been reserved for seriously ill patients in hospital.
About 10,000 tests per day are being carried out at the moment but the government has committed to increasing that number.About 10,000 tests per day are being carried out at the moment but the government has committed to increasing that number.
On Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock set a new target of 100,000 tests per day by the end of April - a big jump from the previous target of 25,000 per day by mid-April.On Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock set a new target of 100,000 tests per day by the end of April - a big jump from the previous target of 25,000 per day by mid-April.
At the moment, the UK is some way behind other countries.At the moment, the UK is some way behind other countries.
South Korea, for example, has been able to test far more widely than the UK.South Korea, for example, has been able to test far more widely than the UK.
Despite having a slightly smaller population than the UK, it has twice as many labs and about two-and-a-half times the weekly testing capacity.Despite having a slightly smaller population than the UK, it has twice as many labs and about two-and-a-half times the weekly testing capacity.
Testing depends not just on the number of labs, but on the availability of machines, test kits and the chemicals these kits need to work. These components are in high demand globally.Testing depends not just on the number of labs, but on the availability of machines, test kits and the chemicals these kits need to work. These components are in high demand globally.
South Korea acted quickly to approve the production of testing kits, allowing it to build up a stockpile.South Korea acted quickly to approve the production of testing kits, allowing it to build up a stockpile.
Italy and the US have also shown improvements in their testing capacity.Italy and the US have also shown improvements in their testing capacity.
5. We are in the second phase of the government's response5. We are in the second phase of the government's response
The government's action plan for dealing with the virus involves three phases - contain; delay; mitigate - alongside ongoing research.The government's action plan for dealing with the virus involves three phases - contain; delay; mitigate - alongside ongoing research.
After trying to contain the disease, the country moved to the "delay" phase on 12 March to stop the wider spread of the virus.After trying to contain the disease, the country moved to the "delay" phase on 12 March to stop the wider spread of the virus.
Even if you have no symptoms, the government says you should:Even if you have no symptoms, the government says you should:
Police have been given powers to fine people deliberately flouting the restrictions, with increasing penalties for repeat offenders.Police have been given powers to fine people deliberately flouting the restrictions, with increasing penalties for repeat offenders.
The government is now encouraging self-isolation at home for over 70s, and those more vulnerable to the virus, for 12 weeks.The government is now encouraging self-isolation at home for over 70s, and those more vulnerable to the virus, for 12 weeks.
British nationals should avoid all non-essential foreign travel to tackle the spread of coronavirus, the Foreign Office has advised.British nationals should avoid all non-essential foreign travel to tackle the spread of coronavirus, the Foreign Office has advised.
6. People who think they have coronavirus are asked to self-isolate6. People who think they have coronavirus are asked to self-isolate
Symptoms include a high temperature and a "new, continuous" cough - this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).Symptoms include a high temperature and a "new, continuous" cough - this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).
If you think you have coronavirus you are advised not to go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.If you think you have coronavirus you are advised not to go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
Instead, you stay at home for seven days. If you live with other people, you should keep at least 2m away from them and they should also stay home for 14 days to see if they develop symptoms.Instead, you stay at home for seven days. If you live with other people, you should keep at least 2m away from them and they should also stay home for 14 days to see if they develop symptoms.
If your symptoms persist or worsen you should contact the NHS's dedicated 111 online coronavirus service or call 111.If your symptoms persist or worsen you should contact the NHS's dedicated 111 online coronavirus service or call 111.