R number falls to below one for the first time since July

Y O

4 years ago

The UK’s coronavirus reproduction number – or R number – has fallen to below one for the first time since July.

The figure is now between 0.7 and 0.9, according to the latest estimate.

The R refers to the number of people an infected person will pass Covid-19 on to, and when the figure is above 1 an outbreak can grow exponentially.

An R number between 0.7 and 0.9 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will pass on the virus to between seven and nine other people – a sign the epidemic is shrinking.

Last week’s R number was between 0.7 and 1.0, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) said.

The R remains below 1 in all regions of England.

It appears lowest in London, which has seen a rapid decline in infections after lockdown was imposed, with the R falling to between 0.6 and 0.8.