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Covid: Coronavirus cases in England up 60% in a week Covid: Coronavirus cases in England up 60% in a week
(about 1 hour later)
Coronavirus cases in England have risen by 60% in the past week, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures suggest. The rate at which the Covid-19 virus is spreading appears to be speeding up.
A random survey estimated there were 9,600 new cases a day in England in the week to 19 September, three times that being picked up by general testing. The R number, indicating how fast the coronavirus epidemic is growing, has risen from 1.1-1.4 to 1.2-1.5.
And it represents an increase from 6,000 a day, according to the same survey conducted the previous week. An Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey estimated there were 9,600 new cases a day in England in the week to 19 September, three times that being picked up by general testing.
Infections rates are highest in the north west of England and in London. This represents an increase from 6,000 a day, according to the same survey conducted the previous week.
The population-wide estimates are based on testing a representative sample of people with or without symptoms. Infection rates are highest in the north west of England and in London.
An R or reproduction number above one means the epidemic is growing. It's a measure of how many extra people each coronavirus case is infecting,
In March, before any control measures were put in place, R was thought to be just under three.
The ONS's estimates of how much of the population is currently infected are based on testing a representative sample of people with or without symptoms.
It is different to the number published daily by the Department of Health and Social Care. That records positive cases in people with potential Covid symptoms who request tests.It is different to the number published daily by the Department of Health and Social Care. That records positive cases in people with potential Covid symptoms who request tests.
And in the week up to 19 September, the DHSC data showed roughly 3,000 positive tests a day in England - a total of 23,378.And in the week up to 19 September, the DHSC data showed roughly 3,000 positive tests a day in England - a total of 23,378.
In contrast, the ONS survey suggest there were actually 103,600 people in England with the virus, equating to an estimated one in 500 people in private homes.In contrast, the ONS survey suggest there were actually 103,600 people in England with the virus, equating to an estimated one in 500 people in private homes.
The number does not include cases in hospitals and care homes.The number does not include cases in hospitals and care homes.
'Clear evidence' of increase'Clear evidence' of increase
The ONS said there was "clear evidence" of an increase in the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in all age groups, but rates are currently highest in those aged 17-24.
Infection rates are highest across the north of England and in London, with smaller increases seen in the Midlands.
In Wales, cases appear to have risen dramatically but because there are fewer people in the sample, there is a lot of uncertainty around the precise figure.In Wales, cases appear to have risen dramatically but because there are fewer people in the sample, there is a lot of uncertainty around the precise figure.
But central estimates suggest they could have risen almost seven-fold, from 1,500 people in total having Covid the previous week to more than 10,000.But central estimates suggest they could have risen almost seven-fold, from 1,500 people in total having Covid the previous week to more than 10,000.
The ONS has also begun surveying people in Northern Ireland, where early figures suggest one in 300 people had the virus in the period 6-19 September.The ONS has also begun surveying people in Northern Ireland, where early figures suggest one in 300 people had the virus in the period 6-19 September.
These figures only take us up to the end of last week, and such may be an underestimate of the current situation. These figures only take us up to the end of last week, and as such may be an underestimate of the current situation.
Cases have been rising over the past few weeks, and have begun to translate to a rise in hospital admissions.Cases have been rising over the past few weeks, and have begun to translate to a rise in hospital admissions.
The ONS said there was "clear evidence" of an increase in the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in all age groups, but rates are currently highest in those aged 17-24. Data from the Covid Symptom Study app, run by King's College London and tech company ZOE, put the daily figure for England at 12,883 - higher than the ONS.
Infection rates are highest across the north of England and in London, with smaller increases seen in the Midlands. Its figures are based on people who download and use the app, so it is not a random sample - but does include a larger number of positive tests.
The ZOE figures are also more up to date than the ONS's and so may be capturing more recent rises.