England's R number rises slightly to between 0.8 and 1.1

England’s R number rises slightly to between 0.8 and 1.1

England’s R number has risen slightly to between 0.8 and 1.1, latest figures show.

This means that on average, every 10 people infected will infect between 8 and 11 other people.

Last week, the figure was estimated to be between 0.8 and 1 by the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

The daily growth rate of COVID-19 infections is also estimated at between -4% and -1%, compared to -5% and -1% a week earlier – meaning the number of cases is now shrinking by up to 4% every day.

R represents the average number of people a person with the virus goes on to infect. When the figure is above 1, an outbreak can grow exponentially – but it is shrinking if it is below 1.

It comes as new data suggests that coronavirus cases in England have dropped by 40% in just a week.

Just one in 40,000 symptomatic cases of coronavirus is being recorded in the UK, suggesting the country is past the pandemic.

And the vaccine programme is still going strong, with all over-40s in England being invited to book their first coronavirus vaccine appointment.

It is the third time this week that the COVID-19 vaccine booking system has been extended, after it was offered to those over 44 on Monday and to over-42s on Tuesday.

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