England sees 30% drop in COVID-19 cases after three weeks of lockdown: study

The number of coronavirus cases in England has fallen by 30%, according to a new study from Imperial College London.

The news comes as the UK ends its third week of national lockdown. The study noted that the cuts were larger in the north, where the coronavirus has hit harder.

The current lockdown is expected to expire on Wednesday, although restrictions are lifted differently across regions based on their individual infection rates, reports The New York Times.

In its report, Imperial College London noted that infection rates had fallen by more than 50% in the North East and North West regions of England, but noted: “In contrast, the prevalence in London and the Midlands remained virtually unchanged.

“However, the rapid growth of the epidemic seen in London and the south of the country between mid and late October was no longer apparent,” the study added. “Our data suggests a decline in the prevalence in adult age groups, including those at older ages who are at the highest risk for severe COVID-19.”

However, infection rates among schoolchildren aged 5 to 17 have increased. Unlike the first nationwide lockdown, schools were not closed during the UK’s current lockdown.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned on Sunday that despite the promising results, Britons must still remain vigilant and prioritize security guidelines relating to COVID-19.

“We must not spoil our progress now, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Hancock said.

Recently, the British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca announced that its vaccine candidate developed in partnership with the University of Oxford has been shown to be very effective in preventing the coronavirus.