COVID-19 in retreat in UK, ‘R’ number lower than one for first time since July

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s COVID-19 pandemic is receding and the ‘R’ reproduction number, which measures transmission rates, has fallen below 1 for the first time since July, adding to hopes that some foreclosure restrictions could be relaxed next month.

Estimates released on Friday showed Britain’s COVID-19 ‘R’ number now between 0.7 and 0.9, a slight drop from last week’s estimate of 0.7 and 1.0, and dipping below one for the first time in over six months.

The prevalence of COVID-19 infections in England also fell in separate data released on Friday. The Bureau of National Statistics said about one in 80 people had been infected during the week ended February 6, compared to one in 65 people the week before.

England has been on lockdown since January 5, with schools closed for most children. Government ministers have said any easing of restrictions will depend on data over the next few weeks, with an announcement expected on February 22.

Britain’s rapid vaccine rollout could also help convince the government to lift lockdown measures, although there are concerns about the vaccine’s effectiveness on newer variants of the virus.

More than 13 million people have received a first injection of the vaccine and the government is on track to meet its goal of giving a first dose to all vulnerable groups by next week.

The Department of Health said on Friday it was convinced the pandemic was on the decline in all parts of the NHS in England, while warning that the prevalence of the virus remained high and calling on people to follow the rules to stay at home.

The number of new infections across Britain is falling by 5% to 2% every day, he added.

With an estimated R number of between 0.7 and 0.9, this means that every 10 infected people will infect between 7 and 9 other people.

Government data shows that over the past seven days, the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 has fallen by 29%, and the number of deaths from the virus and patients admitted to hospital with the virus has also fallen. decreases.