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The government’s Sage committee says the UK’s crucial R rate is between 1.1 and 1.4 across the UK, confirming that the number of cases could double every seven days.
And the number of hospital admissions is increasing dramatically, England’s medical director warned, saying it is a sign of “much worse things to come.”
If the rate is greater than 1, it means that the virus is growing and each infected individual transmits it to more than one person.
Just a week ago it was estimated between 1.0 and 1.2. Before that, the last time R was above 1 was in early March.
It comes as cases increased by about 6,000 a day in the week through Sept. 10, nearly double the rate from the previous week, according to new figures from the National Statistics Office.
Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director of Public Health England, said: “We are seeing clear signs that this virus is spreading widely across all age groups and I am particularly concerned about the increase in hospital admission and intensive care rates among women. old people”.
“This could be a warning of much worse things to come,” he said.
“Our monitoring also suggests that we are seeing an increase in other viruses that cause the common cold.”
Today’s data shows that the R-number could be as high as 1.5 in the Northwest and Midlands.
Cases are increasing in London, with an estimated rate between 1.1 and 1.4, and between 1.2 and 1.4 in the North East and Yorkshire.
In the Southwest there is a greater degree of variation, and the figure is believed to be between 0.9 and 1.6.
Earlier today, data from the Covid Sympton study estimated that 69,686 people currently have symptomatic Covid-19, nearly double the 35,248 figure from last week.
Another 7,500 people are infected every day, scientists believe, and this is likely to increase.
The North East and Yorkshire are believed to have 13,000 cases, the highest number in the UK, with the North West very close at 12,500.
(Image: PA)
The government said in a statement: “An R number between 1.1 and 1.4 means that, on average, every 10 infected people will infect between 11 and 14 more people.
He added that the number of new infections was increasing between 2% and 7% every day.
After the app data was released today, Tim Spector, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, said: “The app data is painting a worrying picture, with cases on the rise across the UK, with the only exception of that being the rule the southwest where we see that the numbers remain low.
(Image: 10 Downing Street / AFP via Getty)
“With the closure in the north of England, the data suggests that localized closures will be the best approach as we continue to see large differences between the south and the north.
“The numbers are increasing in London, which means we need to keep a close eye on the situation.
“This appears to be the beginning of a second wave and we are urging as many people as possible to download the app and sign up for themselves and their families, and join the 1.5 million people who visit us regularly.” .
Meanwhile, a second national lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus has not been ruled out, the Health Secretary said, as the number of hospital admissions doubles every eight days.
(Image: POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Matt Hancock called a national lockdown the “last line of defense” as he responded to reports that ministers are considering new national measures, including for a two-week period, such as imposing a curfew on bars and restaurants. .
It comes as ministers are criticized for the NHS Test and Trace system, which has quadrupled the number of people trying to book a test than the number of tests available.
Experts have said that without effective testing and tracking, it will be much more difficult to control the spread of the virus and detect larger outbreaks.
Hancock told BBC Breakfast that the latest data showed hospital admissions now doubling every eight days, amid warnings that deaths will increase in the coming weeks.
He said it was “absolutely critical” for people to follow the rule of having no more than six people in a meeting, while those living under local restrictions should make sure to follow the advice.
“Also, if people have tested positive, or if people have been in close contact with someone who tested positive, they will isolate themselves,” he said.
“And if we do all of these things, then we can avoid having to take more serious action.”
He said the current focus was “targeted interventions” but “a national blockade is the last line of defense.”
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