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| Decreasing levels of coronavirus across the UK | Decreasing levels of coronavirus across the UK |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Levels of coronavirus have continued to decrease across the UK, Office for National Statistics data shows. | Levels of coronavirus have continued to decrease across the UK, Office for National Statistics data shows. |
| The figures, for the seven days up to 19 February, reveal around 421,300 people in the community with the virus. | The figures, for the seven days up to 19 February, reveal around 421,300 people in the community with the virus. |
| The infection rates are similar to those seen in mid-October last year. | The infection rates are similar to those seen in mid-October last year. |
| But there are regional differences not captured by this data and some parts of the UK 'burning quite hot', says deputy chief medical officer for England Prof Jonathan Van-Tam. | |
| These infection hotspots are concentrated in the Midlands and from the east to the west coast. | |
| He says there are also hotspots in Scotland and Northern Ireland. | |
| The latest R number - 0.6 to 0.9 - suggests infection numbers are shrinking overall in the UK. It means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between 6 and 9 other people. | |
| Hospital pressures and deaths are still high, however, despite the UK's coronavirus alert level having been lowered from the maximum five to four. | Hospital pressures and deaths are still high, however, despite the UK's coronavirus alert level having been lowered from the maximum five to four. |
| Another 345 people in the UK have died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test, bringing the total to 122,415, or 135,613 if you include death certificates that mention Covid-19. | Another 345 people in the UK have died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test, bringing the total to 122,415, or 135,613 if you include death certificates that mention Covid-19. |
| There were 15,485 patients in hospital with coronavirus on 24 February 2021. | There were 15,485 patients in hospital with coronavirus on 24 February 2021. |
| What is happening to the UK's R number? | What is happening to the UK's R number? |
| A change in alert system does not automatically mean restrictions can ease, but it helps to inform government decisions on lockdown rules. | A change in alert system does not automatically mean restrictions can ease, but it helps to inform government decisions on lockdown rules. |
| People are still being advised to take precautions to stop the spread. | People are still being advised to take precautions to stop the spread. |
| The alert level has been changed because the number of people in hospital is falling and "the threat of the NHS and other health services being overwhelmed within 21 days has receded". | The alert level has been changed because the number of people in hospital is falling and "the threat of the NHS and other health services being overwhelmed within 21 days has receded". |
| The government in England has already set out a timetable for easing lockdown, with schools opening from 8 March. | The government in England has already set out a timetable for easing lockdown, with schools opening from 8 March. |
| The ONS results, based on tests from people whether or not they had symptoms, suggest: | The ONS results, based on tests from people whether or not they had symptoms, suggest: |
| One in 145 people in England has the virus (compared to one in 115 the week before) | One in 145 people in England has the virus (compared to one in 115 the week before) |
| In Northern Ireland, it is one in 195 (compared to one in 105 previously) | In Northern Ireland, it is one in 195 (compared to one in 105 previously) |
| In Wales, it is one in 205 (compared to one in 125 before) | In Wales, it is one in 205 (compared to one in 125 before) |
| In Scotland, it is one in 225 (compared to one in 180) | In Scotland, it is one in 225 (compared to one in 180) |
| Meanwhile, the chair of Britain's Covid vaccine advice committee says the next phase of the vaccine rollout should focus on age groups rather than occupations. | Meanwhile, the chair of Britain's Covid vaccine advice committee says the next phase of the vaccine rollout should focus on age groups rather than occupations. |
| It means people aged 40-49 will be the next in line to get a vaccine from mid-April, after all vulnerable groups and the over-50s are covered. | It means people aged 40-49 will be the next in line to get a vaccine from mid-April, after all vulnerable groups and the over-50s are covered. |
| The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said the priority was to deploy vaccines as quickly as possible to protect lives, and that targeting occupational groups would be more complex and may slow the rollout. | The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said the priority was to deploy vaccines as quickly as possible to protect lives, and that targeting occupational groups would be more complex and may slow the rollout. |
| Latest figures show 19,177,555 people in the UK have received a first dose of Covid vaccine and 736,037 have been given a second dose. | Latest figures show 19,177,555 people in the UK have received a first dose of Covid vaccine and 736,037 have been given a second dose. |
| VACCINE: When will I get the jab? | VACCINE: When will I get the jab? |
| NEW VARIANTS: How worried should we be? | NEW VARIANTS: How worried should we be? |
| COVID IMMUNITY: Can you catch it twice? | COVID IMMUNITY: Can you catch it twice? |
| LOOK-UP TOOL: How many cases in your area? | LOOK-UP TOOL: How many cases in your area? |