West has highest ‘R’ number

FOR the first time since the world went into lockdown because of coronavirus, an ‘R’ number for each region in the UK has been revealed.

And the region-specific data has shown that the South West’s ‘R’ number is the highest in the country.

The number, which is also known as the ‘reproduction rate’, represents the possible coronavirus infection rate.

If the number for any region reaches above 1, it may mean new tighter restrictions and tougher social distancing measures are needed.

For example if the R rate in a region is two, that would mean every person that contracts coronavirus would go on to infect two others, meaning if 100 people currently have coronavirus, they would likely infect a further 200 people and it escalates from there.

The current infection rate for the South West is 0.9, with the North East and East Midlands following closely behind, before the North West.

The South West is thought to be the highest in the country due to a recent rise in cases in Westonsuper-Mare and Bristol.

The beaches of Somerset and the rest of the South West have also seen a rise in visitors.

Ministers had refused to publish a breakdown by region but Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham released them on Saturday.

Mr Burnham said lockdown restrictions are being eased too soon, as “the R number was still quite high”.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think we have arrived at quite a dangerous moment.

“This is premature, this easing of the lockdown.”