New data released today by the government has shown the reproductive rate of coronavirus, known as the 'R' rate, may now be over 1.0 again in England.

The data will act as a strong warning to the government after Boris Johnson admitted the spread of the Covid variant first identified in India, known as B.1.617.2, may interfere with plans to continue easing lockdown restrictions in June.

Data released on Friday (May 28) by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) puts the figure between 1.0 and 1.1.

Last week, it was between 0.9 and 1.1.

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 but when it is below 1, it means the epidemic is shrinking.

An R number between 1.0 and 1.1 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between 10 and 11 other people.

Officials are examining the data after confirmed cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19 reached almost 7,000. It is now the dominant strain in the UK, one expert said.

Read more: Data shows Covid rates rising in majority of southeast London boroughs

 

Epidemiologist Professor Neil Ferguson said the planned unlocking next month now “hangs in the balance” due to the growth of the variant of concern.

The Prime Minister told reporters on Thursday he “didn’t see anything currently in the data” to divert from next month’s target, adding: “But we may need to wait.”

The Health Secretary urged the public to remain vigilant in Thursday’s Downing Street press conference.

Mr Hancock said the increase in cases of the Indian variant remained focused in “hotspots” where surge testing and vaccinations were taking place.

He added that of the 49 people in hospital with coronavirus in Bolton, only five have had both doses of vaccine.

“So when you get the call, get the jab, and make sure you come forward for your second doses so you can get the maximum possible protection,” he said.

“The vaccine is severing the link between cases and hospitalisations and deaths from coronavirus.”