England’s R number range has increased slightly from between 0.8-1.1 to between 0.9-1.1, the latest figures show.

The nationwide growth rate is estimated to be between -2% and +1 – a small increase on last week’s -3% to 1%.

The coronavirus R (reproduction) number represents the extent to which the epidemic is growing or shrinking.

The latest figures from government advisory body SAGE mean that on average every 10 people infected with COVID-19 will go on to infect between 9 and 11 others.

Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world

They also suggest that the number of new cases is fairly flat – dropping by up to 2% each day or increasing by a maximum of 1%.

Today’s numbers represent the situation two to three weeks ago, due to the delay in becoming infected, getting symptoms, and needing healthcare.

Separate data published on Friday suggests that the number of people testing positive for the virus in England is showing “early signs of a potential increase”.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that around one in 1,110 people in private households had COVID-19 in the week to 15 May – up from one in 1,340 the previous week.

They said that the overall number of cases remains relatively low, despite the rapid spread of the Indian variant.

It comes amid doubts over the final date of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown as the number of variant cases continues to grow.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told Sky News on Friday that 21 June remained the “earliest” date for removing all limits on social contact – not the final date.

He also said it would “make sense” for people to continue wearing facemasks beyond Step 4 of the roadmap.

He said that “caution has been the watchword”, while PM Boris Johnson said there was currently nothing in the data to suggest the date would be delayed.

Professor Peter Openshaw, a member of the government’s SAGE subgroup NERVTAG, warned however: “I personally would feel very concerned that this is going to become quite a major issue over the next few weeks and that may well delay the further opening up.”

Related posts:

Vaccine rollout to be ‘considerably slower’ until end of July, government advisers say Legal challenge to let indoor hospitality open sooner to be fast-tracked ‘Another key milestone’: New type of vaccine will be given to patients in the UK from today First dose of Moderna vaccine given in UK as 24-year-old carer gets jab UK’s longest known COVID patient suffering ‘fainting attacks’ after more than 13 months in ICU What can you do from 17 May when COVID restrictions are relaxed in England? Man locked up for frenzied killing of his MMA champion brother at birthday party Pass rate in Scotland slightly down as students get results after one of ‘toughest academic years’ Final Test match between England and India called off over COVID-19 concerns Boris Johnson’s wife Carrie gives birth to ‘healthy baby girl’ Fresh strike action to cripple London’s Night Tube this weekend E.ON apologises for sending socks to customers to help keep heating costs down