Infections fall for first time since September
INFECTION rates in England have fallen slightly for the first time in almost three months.
The Office for National Statistics estimates 633,000 people – 1.16% of the population – had the virus between November 15 and 21.
The figure is down from 664,700 (1.22%) the week before.
It’s the first time the ONS has registered a week-on-week drop in case numbers since September 4. Numbers had been climbing ever since that week, from the 27,100 estimated infections seen then to the 664,700 estimated last week.
The news comes after hospital admissions began falling and intensive care numbers started to level off.
Prof James Naismith, of Oxford University, said: “Prevalence is decreasing as social restrictions have their effect.
“Sadly, as
[ Thursday] we saw yesterday with 696 deaths announced, it takes time for gains in social restrictions to feed through.
“It is not unalloyed good news. The ONS data suggest that in some areas prevalence may have increased.
“Obviously the measures were designed to lower the incidence everywhere.”
Reported rates have increased in the East Midlands but have continued to decrease in the North West during lockdown.
Infection rates in the West Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West now also appear to be decreasing.
Highest rates are in Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West and the North East.
When it comes to age groups, secondary school children are the only band where infections are rising.
In adults 35 and over the rate has dropped.
The figures do not include people staying in hospitals or care homes.