Covid R rate jumps above 1 as UK braces for surge in cases over Christmas

The reproduction number, or R value, of coronavirus transmission across the UK is now above 1.

Figures published by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) on Friday estimated the figure to be between 1.1 and 1.2.

The R number was between 0.9 and 1 last week.

R represents the average number of people each Covid-19 positive person goes on to infect.

When the figure is above 1, an outbreak can grow exponentially.

If the R number is between 0.9 and 1 means that on average every 10 people infected will infect between 9 and 10 other people.

But as it has grown to between 1.1 and 1.2, this means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between 11 and 12 other people.

Experts advising the Government have revealed all NHS England regions have R estimates that are above or span 1, suggesting the epidemic is growing in much of the country.

The East of England, South East and London now have R estimates well above 1, they said.

It comes after the majority of places in England already in tier 3 restrictions, including Greater Manchester, were told on Thursday they would remain in tier 3 over the next few weeks.

Bristol and North Somerset meanwhile are moving to a lower level of restrictions due to falling levels of transmissions.

Earlier this week, the Department of Education announced mass testing for all secondary school pupils would take place weekly in London, Essex and Kent from January to help combat the rising numbers of transmissions.

Meanwhile, both students and staff identified as a close contact of someone with coronavirus will be able to get a daily test over seven days under the new testing scheme, which will also start in January.

This means that students and staff will not need to self-isolate in this situation if they take a daily test.