Coronavirus Infection Rates Have Dropped Again Across The UK But, Still Remain High
The ONS study found cases had fallen across all parts of the UK
2 min read
New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show Coronavirus infections rates in the community have decreased across all parts of the UK.
According to the most recent estimates from the ONS, there were around one in 115 people in private households across the country who tested positive for the virus between 6 and 12 February, down from around one in 80 last during the previous week.
It is the lowest infection figure since between 29 November and 5 December, when the data also showed at around one in 115 people with Covid-19.
It comes as the UK's R rate - the rate at which the infection is spreading - was estimated to have fallen slightly to between 0.6 and 0.9. It means for every 10 people with Covid-19 they will infect another 6 to 9 people.
The figure is slightly below last weeks estimated of 0.7 to 0.9, which was the first time it had dropped below 1 since July.
All regions across England have seen a drop in infection rates according to the ONS study, with the North-west of England having the highest proportion with around one in 85 people in private households believed to be infected in the week ending 12 February.
Higher than average estimates were also found in London where one in 100 were estimated to have the virus during the study period, while the West Midlands was one in 110.
Yorkshire and the Humber had improved rates of one in 120, while the North East, South East and South West were estimated to have infection rates of around one in 135.
The improved figures come after the latest React study conducted by Imperial College London found that while infection rates had fallen, they remained high across the country.
Both studies come just days ahead of a major announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on 22 February where he is set to announce his "roadmap" for easing lockdown restrictions in England.
Meanwhile, the ONS figures showed improving infections rates across other parts of the UK.
In Scotland, the estimate is around one in 180 people, down from one in 150, while the data shows around one in 125 people in private households in Wales are estimated to have had the virus during the week 6 to 12 February - down from one in 85 the week before.
The study found estimated that infection rates in Northern Ireland had dropped from one in 75 to one in 105 over the same period.
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