New data shows that CORONAVIRUS cases have fallen in all regions of England since the R rate, which is crucial for survival, has stabilized.
Today, the number of daily infections was below 100,000 for only the third time in three consecutive weeks. This means that Omicron infections have now reached their peak.
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The current R rate is between 1.1 to 1.5, a slight drop from the 1.2 to 1.5 last week.
It is highest in the North East where it sits between 1.5 and 1.7. However, despite a high R-rate, infections are starting to decline in this region, which was previously an Omicron epicentre.
Today’s infection rate is at 99,652 in the country. The last time these numbers were lower than 100,000 was Christmas Day. However, this could have been due to people enjoying the holiday and not being tested.
December 19th saw 81,761 cases added in just 24 hours. Then, it started to increase steadily over the next two months.
For the past seven days, infections have fallen hugely from record highs of over 200,000-per-day in an encouraging sign.
After the government reduced the time it takes to isolate the virus, which was previously seven days, there has been a drop in infection rates across the country.
Ministers suggested that Covid passports could also be scrapped as the UK prepares its exit from the pandemic.
This decision was prompted by falling infections, evidence that Omicron variants were milder than others and most people now experiencing cold-like symptoms.
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A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron is milder than other strains in the vaccinated, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
Central Recorder’s Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits’ arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
FALLING RATES
Omicron infections reached their peak in London around the end December. Then, cases spread to the rest of England.
Just over a fortnight ago, North East areas were experiencing rapid increases in cases. However, infection rates have fallen over the last few days.
January 13th, 2009. According to UKHSA data, 2,939 people were positive for Covid in North East.
More than 14,000 people tested positive for the virus on January 4.
If you look at the same time period between January 4th and January 13, you will see a pattern in the number of falling infections across the country.
17623 East Midlands people were positive for HIV on January 4. This compares to the 3,064 who tested positive on January 13.
19775 positive tests were reported in the East of England on January 4. This compares to 4 288 on January 13.
28418 people tested positive for HIV on January 4, compared with 3953 on January 13.
The data set from the last few days does not include all cases, but there is a noticeable drop across all regions.
The North West had 34,133 cases and 4,648 in the South East. They dropped to 28,719 from 5,856 in the South East.
The South West experienced a decline of 15,405 and 3,254 respectively, while the West Midlands saw a decrease of 22,166 and 4.274.
It fell from 23,179 to 3,870 in Yorkshire & the Humber.
STABILISING
However, data from the Office for National Statistics(ONS), which dates back to January 7, shows that the North West is currently the country with the highest number of infections.
About one in ten people are positive for the virus in the region.
The ONS data, which is slightly behind government’s daily dashboard data shows that positive infections increased in England until January 7, with the exception of London and the East of England.
According to the report, the North West is the area with the highest rates of infections, while the South West has one of the lowest.
Data taken from UKHSA’s weekly monitoring report that runs up to January 9, states: “Overall Covid-19 cases rates stabilised, or decreased.”
“Case rates decreased in most groups, although increases were observed by region in the North East.”
Yesterday the latest data from a Covid survey revealed the Omicron wave has peaked in the UK.
Professor Tim Spector stated: “From Zoe Data, the Omicron peak was gone, a few weeks ago.
“Across the nation, we are beginning to notice a decrease in nearly all areas, with the exception of the North East. But that is slowing down.
“The Omicron wave has peaked and is going down so we’re on the other side so that’s great – but of course we don’t know what the future holds.”
It was also found that less than half of patients with Covid are being treated for other reasons.