R-rate falls in the West

THE South West’s Covid-19 R-rate is no longer the highest in England, the latest estimates from the Government show.

Figures provided by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) shows that the coronavirus infection rate has fallen in the South West of England, sitting at 0.7 to 0.9 compared to 0.8 to 1.1 last week.

This puts it at the same level as the Midlands and the East of England. It also matches the national average for England, which represents a decrease from last week’s range of 0.7 to 1.1.

The North West has the largest R-rate according to SAGE’s figures, with the figures there currently at 0.7 to 1.0.

The R-rate details the rate which coronavirus grows and spreads based on the average number of people that one infected person will pass the virus on to.

The latest estimate from SAGE, the government’s scientific advisers, for the South West means that for every ten infected people, they will spread the virus to between seven and nine other people.