Staying up to date on the latest statistics of COVID-19 in your region is crucial. Knowing the data helps you understand the transmission of the virus in your locality, which will correspond to how likely someone is to infect you. Such information is also vital for the UK government to form policy decisions, which will affect the safety and welfare of us all.
The government tracks the spread of COVID-19 through the R rate. This number corresponds to the number of people infected by a person with COVID-19. If the R rate rises above one, then the number of infections is likely to increase.
Hertfordshire’s R rate is one of the statistics for East of England, which is currently at 0.8 to 1.0. The growth rate per day is now at -3 per cent to 0 per cent. Meanwhile, the UK has an R number range of 0.9 to 1.1, with a growth rate range of -3 to +1 per day. Such growth rate indicates that the number of new infections is decreasing by 3 per cent and increasing by 1 per cent every day.
The R Rate in England
England has an R rate of 0.9 to 1.0, with a growth rate of -3 per cent to 0 per cent every day. Although England’s rate is similar to other rates in the regions, seemingly negligible differences are essential to track.
London carries a higher R rate than the East of England with an R rate of 0.9 to 1.1. Meanwhile, the Midlands has an R rate of 0.8 to 1.0, and the South East’s R rate is 0.8 to 1.1 In the South West, it is from 0.8 to 1.1, which is slightly higher. In the North East and Yorkshire, the R rate is from 0.8 to 1.0. The North West is on par with London with an R Rate of 0.9 to 1.1.
The Significance of R Rates
All the data above comes from the National Health Service (NHS) England, which demonstrates the range of values. These estimates cover COVID-19 transmission from a few weeks ago, as there is a delay in the onset of infection and a patient requesting for health care.
On their website, the NHS explained that although the R rate provides an overview of COVID-19 transmission in an area, these numbers may not be enough to influence government decisions. If, for example, there is a “high degree of variability in transmission across a region”, then the R rate and growth rate do not accurately reflect the way transmissions are growing across the region. Instead, the NHS recommends identifying local hotspots by monitoring the number of cases, deaths, and hospitalisations.
The total number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Hertfordshire is 5,890 as of writing. Those who test positive more than once are counted only once.
The R Number in the UK
The R number is the estimated average number of people that a person with COVID-19 will infect. If the R is less than one, then the number of people that contract the disease will decrease. However, if the R number is more than one, more people are likely to test positive.
The government recently raised its estimate for the UK's R number to 1.5 to 1.5. England’s R number is from 1.2 to 1.5, and Scotland is from 1.2 to 1.6. Wales is considerably lower at 0.7 to 1.2, and Northern Ireland is at 1.5.
Conclusion
Staying aware of the R rate and number throughout the region helps paint a clear picture of COVID-19 transmission in your area. Higher numbers indicate a higher incidence of contracting the virus. To keep yourself safe from the virus, observe social distance protocols, practice proper hygiene, and take a COVID-19 test regularly.
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