In four other regions - the Midlands, the North East and Yorkshire, the South East and the South West - experts believe the R rate could also be as high as 1. If the R rate goes above 1, it means the number of Covid-19 cases is on the rise, as each individual with the disease is infecting more than one other person. In order for the disease to be in retreat, the R rate needs to be below 1, but scientists fear a surge of new cases as restrictions are eased. The government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) group also says the growth rate for the virus could be around 2% - meaning a rise in new infections. : 0.8-1, with an unchanged growth rate of minus 4% to 0%.

Source: Daily Mirror July 03, 2020 14:19 UTC