Coronavirus R-number remains the same on eve of pubs reopening in England

The R number of coronavirus in the UK remains at 0.7-0.9 on the eve of pubs, bars, restaurants and hairdressers reopening in England.

The measurement has been a key metric for the Government in determining whether to ease lockdown restrictions and helping to monitor the spread of Covid-19.

Friday’s figures mean the amount of people infected with coronavirus appears to be shrinking on the whole, which meets one of the Government’s five tests on easing lockdown.

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With the R number staying between 07.-0.9, it means the amount of coronavirus cases is reducing, but at a rate which is tailing off due to their being less of the disease in circulation.

Any R value over 1 means the disease could be growing within the population, while negative values means the number of cases is likely decreasing.

The current growth rate for the UK is estimated to be -6% to 0%.

The R value of the disease indicates the average number of people an infected person is likely to pass it on to.

R estimates do not indicate how quickly an epidemic is changing and different diseases with the same R can result in epidemics that grow at very different speeds.

It is worth noting that as the number of cases decrease, the metrics will become less helpful indicators and other measures may need to be looked at a way of understanding whether coronavirus could be growing.

Sage, the scientific group which has been advising the Government throughout the crisis, said they expect to see more outbreaks as the lockdown is eased.

They added that the challenge is to ensure outbreaks are localised, rather than across the country which could force another wave.

Breakdown of figures

The R values and growth rate for the following regions are:

East of England: 0.7-0.9, minus 6% to 0%

This is a change from minus 6% to minus 1%, suggesting the rate of spread may be growing in the area.

London: 0.6-0.9, minus 6% to 0%

This is a change from 0.7–1.0, and minus 5% to plus 1%, indicating the rate of spread is shrinking.

Midlands: 0.7-0.9 (from 0.8–1.0), with an unchanged growth rate of minus 4% to 0%

North East and Yorkshire: 0.7-0.9, minus 4% to 0%, changed from minus 5% to minus 1%

North West: 0.7–1.0, minus 5% to 0%, changed from minus 4% to 0%

South East: 0.7–0.9, minus 6% to minus 1%, shrinking from minus 5% to minus 1%

South West: 0.6-0.9, minus 7% to 0%, also shrinking from minus 6% to 0%