Covid outbreaks down by a third

CORONAVIRUS cases are falling across all regions, with suspected outbreaks down by a third in a week, figures show.

Public Health England data confirmed the epidemic is continuing to shrink, as the nation enjoyed its most freedom in months. Another 2,672 new cases and 30 deaths were recorded yesterday – down from 3,030 and 53 a week ago.

Infections are down 6.9 per cent, while deaths have fallen by 2.3 per cent.

Infections have dropped across all age groups as hospital admissions fall. Cases remained highest among children and teenagers, while over-70s continue to have the lowest rates. According to government figures, there were just 92 suspected outbreaks in the week leading up to Sunday April 11 – down from 140 in the previous seven days.

An outbreak is usually defined as two or more cases in an area.

NHS Test and Trace recorded 34 per cent fewer positive tests in the seven days to April 7 in England – 19,196 compared with 29,178 at the end of March.

The figures will raise questions over whether lockdown easing can speed up. But Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director at PHE, said: ‘Following guidance continues to be a matter of high protection for us all.’