This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57942217
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Daily Covid cases down for fourth day in UK | Daily Covid cases down for fourth day in UK |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Covid cases are down for the fourth consecutive day in the UK, latest daily figures show. | Covid cases are down for the fourth consecutive day in the UK, latest daily figures show. |
| The UK recorded 36,389 new infections - a further drop from 46,558 logged on 20 July. | The UK recorded 36,389 new infections - a further drop from 46,558 logged on 20 July. |
| It is too soon to say if cases have peaked, however, given that the statistics do not capture the impact of unlocking that happened on 19 July. | It is too soon to say if cases have peaked, however, given that the statistics do not capture the impact of unlocking that happened on 19 July. |
| One expert said it will take a few weeks after relaxing restrictions to know for certain. | One expert said it will take a few weeks after relaxing restrictions to know for certain. |
| Prof Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia said: "I would caution that this may just be a temporary slowing in reports before we start to see a return to exponential growth towards the end of next week as a result of the ending of restrictions last week." | Prof Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia said: "I would caution that this may just be a temporary slowing in reports before we start to see a return to exponential growth towards the end of next week as a result of the ending of restrictions last week." |
| It is possible cases will increase again, with some measures, such as the R rate, still suggesting the epidemic is growing. | It is possible cases will increase again, with some measures, such as the R rate, still suggesting the epidemic is growing. |
| The latest estimate of R - which measures how quickly the virus is spreading - is unchanged from the previous week at 1.2 to 1.4. | The latest estimate of R - which measures how quickly the virus is spreading - is unchanged from the previous week at 1.2 to 1.4. |
| It means that on average, every 10 people infected with coronavirus goes on to infect between 12 and 14 others. | It means that on average, every 10 people infected with coronavirus goes on to infect between 12 and 14 others. |
| Mixed picture | Mixed picture |
| The estimated daily growth rate shows signs of a possible slowdown, however. This week's estimate is that infections are growing at between 4% and 6% a day, down from between 4% and 7% last week. | The estimated daily growth rate shows signs of a possible slowdown, however. This week's estimate is that infections are growing at between 4% and 6% a day, down from between 4% and 7% last week. |
| Meanwhile, data from the Office for National Statistics based on swab tests in the community suggests 1.3% of the population - or one in 80 people - has the virus, up from one in 100 the week before. | Meanwhile, data from the Office for National Statistics based on swab tests in the community suggests 1.3% of the population - or one in 80 people - has the virus, up from one in 100 the week before. |
| According to the ONS figures for the week up to 17 July: | According to the ONS figures for the week up to 17 July: |
| one in 75 people have the virus in England - compared to one in 95 the week before | one in 75 people have the virus in England - compared to one in 95 the week before |
| in Scotland it is one in 80 - compared to one in 90 the week before | in Scotland it is one in 80 - compared to one in 90 the week before |
| in Wales it is one in 210 - compared to one in 360 previously | in Wales it is one in 210 - compared to one in 360 previously |
| in Northern Ireland it is one in 170 - compared to one in 290 | in Northern Ireland it is one in 170 - compared to one in 290 |
| The more infectious Delta variant currently accounts for almost every Covid infection in the UK. | The more infectious Delta variant currently accounts for almost every Covid infection in the UK. |
| A new report from Public Health England warns of a small but increased risk of catching this variant, first identified in India, even if you have had Covid before. | A new report from Public Health England warns of a small but increased risk of catching this variant, first identified in India, even if you have had Covid before. |
| It says 897 cases out of 68,688 Delta infections recorded in an 11-week period from April to June were possible reinfections. | It says 897 cases out of 68,688 Delta infections recorded in an 11-week period from April to June were possible reinfections. |
| Prof Rowland Kao, a professor of epidemiology and data science at Edinburgh University, said: "Any decline is always welcome but its too early to say whether this is sustained. | |
| "It's important to remember that there are still many people highly vulnerable to severe Covid infection, and with infection numbers still high, some remaining caution is merited." |