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The rate of coronavirus infections in England and Wales appears to be declining, new data suggests.
An estimated 618,700 people had coronavirus in community settings in England between October 25 and 31, equivalent to about one in 90 people, or 1.13% of the population, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
It represents a jump from 568,100 people who were estimated to have COVID-19 in the period from October 17 to 23.
But while the infection rate has increased in recent weeks, “the rate of increase is less pronounced compared to the previous weeks,” the ONS said.
In its latest update on Friday, the ONS said that new infections in England have stabilized at around 50,000 a day, suggesting a stabilization in a recent steep rise in cases.
Sky News economic editor Ed Conway said it was “good news,” adding: “Still in the early days (the model has given us some false hope before), but this is perhaps the most promising sign yet of a slowdown in new infections. “
The ONS data refers to COVID-19 infections in the community, that is, private residential homes, and does not include people with the virus in hospitals, residences, or other institutional settings.
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There were an estimated 45,700 new cases per day in England in the week to October 31, slightly below the previous week’s estimate of 51,900.
“The incidence appears to have stabilized at around 50,000 new infections per day,” the ONS said.
In Wales, an estimated 27,100 people in private households had COVID-19 between October 25 and October 31, the equivalent of 0.89% of the population.
This is slightly higher than the 26,100 people estimated for the October 17-23 period, or 0.86% of the population.
The ONS said its modeling suggests that the number of COVID-19 cases in Wales has “increased in recent weeks, but the rate of increase is now less steep compared to previous weeks.”
COVID-19 infection rates are estimated to have risen in all regions of England in recent weeks, except the North East, where they “appear to have stabilized.”
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The highest regional rates remain in North West England and Yorkshire & the Humber, while the lowest rates continue in South East England, South West England and East England.
There have also been increases in infection rates in all age groups except among older adolescents and young adults whose rates appear to be stabilizing, the ONS said.
However, he added that the highest infection rates continue to be seen among older teens and young adults.
More than 64,000 COVID-19-related deaths have occurred in the UK, according to figures compiled by statistical agencies.
