Covid Cases in England Hit 618,700 but Infections Start to Slow
An estimated 618,700 people in England had Covid last week, but the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals the infection rate is finally slowing down. While cases are still rising, the daily growth is levelling off, signalling a possible peak on the horizon.
One in 90 People in England Has Covid
According to the ONS, about one in every 90 people in England currently has the virus. Wales and Scotland are faring slightly better, with one in 110 testing positive. Northern Ireland faces a tougher battle, with one in 75 infected—and experts say it’s too soon to tell if the numbers are stabilising there.
- ONS data covers only community infections, excluding hospitals and care homes.
- Increased infection rates recorded in every English region except the North East in the past two weeks.
- The North West and Yorkshire and Humber continue to have the highest Covid rates.
With much of the UK still under lockdown, experts hope these numbers will drop in the coming weeks.
Liverpool Launches City-Wide Mass Testing Pilot
Liverpool has kicked off a mass testing pilot, offering repeat Covid tests to all residents and workers, regardless of symptoms. This two-week trial aims to catch infections early and stop further spread as the UK battles rising cases.
Meanwhile, the Covid Symptom Study app—tracking symptoms from over a million users—estimates that 42,049 people develop Covid symptoms daily across the UK.
“At a national level we are seeing infections slow across England and Wales but they are still increasing,” said Ruth Studley from the ONS.
“The level of infection in young adults and older teenagers appears to have levelled off recently. However, they continue to be the most likely to be infected despite increases in all other age groups.”
Scotland Records 31 More Covid Deaths as Cases Pass 70,000
Scotland reported 31 new Covid deaths and 1,072 new cases. The death toll—counting those who tested positive within the last 28 days—now stands at 2,997.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged the public not to see the figures as mere statistics: “Every single one represents an individual human being whose loss is a source of grief. My condolences to everyone who is bereaved.”
Daily test positivity dropped to 5.5% from 7.6% the day before. Most new cases were in Greater Glasgow and Clyde (460), followed by Lanarkshire (210), Lothian (112), and Ayrshire and Arran (75). Another seven health boards reported smaller numbers.
Currently, 1,237 Covid patients are in Scottish hospitals, with 98 in intensive care.
