COVID cases in the UK have plunged, despite earlier fears that the new school term could have fuelled a surge in infections.A return to the classroom hasn't yet fuelled a spike in Covid infections in England, figures revealThe UK's R-rate is as low as 0.7 in some areas - with experts believing the overall figure is now below 1 for the first time since March
One in 90 people in England had the virus last week, with around 620,100 infected in total, experts at the Office for National Statistics said yesterday. And while the figure is still high, it's down 18 per cent from a fortnight earlier, when one in 70 tested positive and total infections stood at around 754,000.
Meanwhile, Government scientists say the R-rate is now between 0.8 and 1 in England - the first time it's been below 1 since March.ONS study leader Kara Steel said: "Infection levels have decreased in England for the first time in several weeks, though rates remain generally high across the UK. "It’s encouraging that infection rates have continued to decrease among young adults, possibly reflecting the impact of the vaccination programme."