VIRAL SURGE
Coronavirus on the rise in nearly all regions as new daily infections double to 6,000 cases, new figures reveal
CASES of the coronavirus are on the up in almost every region in England as data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that infections have doubled in a week.
Data published by the ONS today states that from September 4 to September 10, there has been 6,000 new infections of the virus each day.
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This equates to 1.10 new infections per 10,000 people per day and is almost double last week's figure.
Last week it was estimated that 3,200 a day were being infected by the virus.
While the case rate has almost doubled this week, last week it had also gone up by over 1,000.
The new figures from the ONS come as people across the country scramble to get tests at drive-through centres and in the post.
The data published by the ONS is based on its modelling estimates and is different from the data published by the Department of Health and Social Care each day.
Figures released by the government yesterday revealed that cases have risen by 3,395 with 21 more deaths.
Nearly 4,000 people tested positive for Covid in the last 24 hours – with the total number of cases in the UK at 381,614.
Graphs published by the ONS show that cases in most regions are rising, despite a number of local lockdowns having been enforced in recent weeks and days.
The ONS states: "There is evidence that infection rates have increased in most regions, particularly the North West and London in recent weeks.
"It is likely that infection rates in all other regions have also increased except the South West and West Midlands."
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It estimated that 1 in 900 people in England had Covid-19 during the week to Sept. 10, compared with 1 in 1,400 in the previous week.
Several areas in the North West will be banned from seeing friends from next Tuesday.
Even more Brits face strict local lockdown measures and curfews will be introduced in Lancashire and Merseyside as the number of new coronavirus cases in Liverpool spiralled to 100.6 cases per 100,000.
It comes after huge parts of the North East - including Newcastle, North and South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland were handed stricter local lockdown measures.
Pubs and restaurants in Lancashire, Warrington, Halton and Merseyside will have to close at 10pm from Tuesday.
People will also not be allowed to meet with anyone who is outside their household or support bubble in those areas as well as Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale, Oadby and Wigston.
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But the new rules do not apply to people in Blackpool and Greater Manchester.
People in Manchester already have a ban on meeting friends outside of their household.
Around 10 million people in the UK have to follow tough restrictions.
Looking just at Wales and the ONS states that 1,500 people in private households had Covid in the last week which equates to around 0.05 per cent of the population.
The ONS said that this shows that cases in Wales are "relatively stable".
Earlier this week it was announced that some areas in Wales would have to introduce curfews in order to curb the spread of the virus.
Caephilly in Wales - and Rhondda Cyon Taf are under extra restrictions.
Age matters
The ONS also stated that in recent weeks it has become clear that there has been an increase in cases in younger people.
That had been concerned that once schools reopened there would be an uptick in cases, but experts have since claimed that kids are not super-spreaders of the virus.
The ONS stated that cases numbers have been higher in people aged 2 to 11, 17 to 24 and 25 to 34.
It comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock blamed the "affluent young" for the spread of the virus - claiming that people aged between 17 and 21 have issues when it comes to adhering to social distancing guidelines.
The ONS report stated: "Smaller increases are also evident in those aged 35 to 49 years and 50 to 69 years.
"Based on the latest data, for those aged 12 to 16 years we cannot determine with certainty the change in trend over time.
"This is based on statistical modelling of nose and throat swab test results."
So far in the UK over 41,000 people have died from the virus.
At the start of lockdown in March, businesses and offices were closed in order to stop the spread of the virus.
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Then restrictions eased with pubs and restaurants opening during the summer.
Last month the government also urged people to get back to the office as businesses continue to struggle due to a lack of footfall.
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Earlier this week Professor Carl Heneghan questioned why the government was surprised with an after relaxing measures.
He said that increased activity at the end of summer always leads to infections and said “it’s not rocket science”.
With 10m already under local lockdowns and tough new rules we ask – where’s next?
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