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The second wave of coronavirus in Britain went from being a handful of small outbreaks to penetrating the entire UK and forcing entire cities to crash again in just two months, according to a series of heat maps that reveal how quickly the that the outbreak has evolved.
Covid infections were around 10 cases per 100,000 people in most parts of the country at the end of August before rising after millions of Britons headed to beaches and rental houses to make the most of the summer following the months. of being locked up at home.
Infections broke through the 200 cases per 100,000 barrier for the first time in Bolton, which was one of the UK’s Covid-19 hotspots, in early September. The virus then spread rapidly across the north of England, and government heat maps illustrate the sharp north-south divide.
In response to the increase in cases, ministers rushed to implement national measures such as the rule of six, on September 14, and the curfew at 10 p.m., on September 26, as well as tightening local restrictions. closing in an effort to curb spiral cases, but with limited success.
Just four local authorities in England were registering more than 400 cases per 100,000 on September 30, but by October 14 this had quadrupled to 16. The disease then began to rebound in London and the South West, which had previously escaped any. major resurgence. .
Boris Johnson then imposed England’s three-tier lockdown system on October 14, to further toughen the measures. Scotland announced its own five-tier system nine days later. Wales and Northern Ireland have opted for firewall closures to prevent increased infections, and Scotland has imposed time-limited restrictions on its core areas.
The UK government has been delaying imposing a second full nationwide lockdown so far, despite calls from parts of the scientific community for this to be done in more than the medium term.
Infections are already falling in hotspots in Newcastle, Nottingham, Liverpool and Manchester, according to data from Public Health England. But, with the total numbers still very high, the reversal has yet to show up on the Health Department heat maps.
This map shows how coronavirus infections in the UK increased in two months from mid-August, with most areas registering fewer than 10 cases per 100,000 people, to today where the virus has increased in the north of England, Northern Ireland, as well as causing more infections in Glasgow, parts of Wales and London
The map on the left is the current situation based on the most recently available data, for the week ending October 21. Both reflect the situation in the UK before (right) and after (left) the introduction of the tier system.
These maps reflect the situation in the UK after the curfew was imposed at 6:10 PM in England.
These maps highlight the situation in the UK before the decision was made to impose measures at the national level.
The maps, produced using infection case rates from Public Health England, highlight in particular the uneven distribution of the second wave, with infections increasing in the north of England and remaining much lower in the south.
By September 16, up to 20 areas in the north of England were registering more than 100 new cases each week for every 100,000 people, while none in the south.
But as of early October, only six local authorities in the north – Carlisle, Copeland, Allerdale, Eden, Richmondshire, and Scarborough – were registering fewer than 100 cases per 100,000.
In comparison, only ten London boroughs and six local authorities were registering more than 100 weekly cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the South at the same time.
They also reveal how, while most of the UK was yellow, meaning fewer than 10 cases per 100,000, in mid-August the virus spread rapidly.
In September, blue outbreaks, indicating more than 100 cases per 100,000, began to appear in the main population centers of Manchester, Cardiff and Newcastle.
These advanced rapidly through the surrounding areas, while the cases in the centers continued to rise to purpura, or more than 400 cases per 100,000.
And in early October, blue hot spots also started to appear in London, Glasgow and Northern Ireland.
There are no yellow areas left on the most recent map, or places that have fewer than 10 cases per 100,000.
The median number of cases in England was 181 cases per 100,000 people in the week ending in October, an increase of 10.8 percent.
And although the number of infections has increased in London, it remains below average due to the much larger outbreaks in the north.
Yet despite soaring case rates, MailOnline’s analysis of Public Health England data published last week reveals that percentage increases in infections across the country are slowing, in a sure sign that the second wave may be approaching its peak.
Almost half of all local authorities in England (69 out of 149 councils) saw drops in their coronavirus infection rates in the week ending September 25.
It also showed that only three regions posted peaks of more than 50 percent, 12 times less than the previous week, when 36 posted the marked increases.
Data from last week showed that up to 41 councils saw drops in their infection rates, but this number has been updated by PHE to show that only four actually saw a decline.
Nonetheless, the lower numbers overall represent a possible turnaround with infections, as Level 3 restrictions, including gym, pub and bar closures, finally appear to be keeping the virus at bay.
The rise in infections despite the restrictions will be seen as vindication of calls for some to introduce tougher lockdown restrictions, with Labor demanding a ‘firewall’ in England for half the period.
But the ministers are likely to argue that their measures are working, saying that coronavirus infections would have risen much faster in many more areas without the measures being imposed.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock argued two weeks ago that the three-tier strategy had been “guided by science” and would “protect lives and livelihoods” while preventing an increase in infections.
Liverpool, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Warrington, Nottingham, and South Yorkshire are on Level 3.
London, the North East, Essex and the North West and Nottinghamshire areas are on Level 2.
West Yorkshire is believed to be the next region to move to Tier 3 restrictions.
This is the state of infections as the UK moved from summer to early autumn period
During the summer, and after a long national shutdown, many areas of the UK had fewer than 10 cases per 100,000
Infection levels in the UK were low as the country enjoyed glorious summer weather
West Yorkshire may be the next to move to Level Three affecting 1.8 million people. If it plunged into Level Three, it would follow neighboring South Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Greater Manchester.
