The latest R number and coronavirus growth rate for the South West indicates that the spread of coronavirus is increasing in the region but at a slowER rate than the the UK as a whole.

Figures published by the government and SAGE (the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) report that the R number for the south west is now 1.1 to 1.4, with the region showing a growth rate of +1 per cent to +6 per cent.

This means that for every one person with the infection a further 1.1 and 1.4 people are likely to go on to be infected. Last week the range was 0.9 to 1.6.

The growth rate means the new infections is growing by 1 per cent and 8 per cent every day.

However, this is well below the average growth rate range for the whole of the UK, which is now between +4 per cent and +8 per cent.

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The latest Latest R number range for the UK is 1.2 to 1.5.

This means that on average every ten people infected will infect between 12 and 15 other people.

A growth rate between +4% and +8% means the number of new infections is growing by 4% to 8% every day.

The UK estimates of R and growth rate are averages over very different epidemiological situations and should be regarded as a guide to the general trend rather than a description of the epidemic state.

In the past SAGE has said that a significant amount of variability across a region, due to a local outbreak, could mean that a single average value does not accurately reflect the way infections are changing throughout that region.

But it said this week: "It is SAGE’s expert view, however, that this week’s estimates are reliable, and that there is widespread growth of the epidemic across the country.

"These estimates represent the transmission of Covid-19 over the past few weeks due to the time delay between someone being infected, having symptoms and needing healthcare.

"Estimates for R and growth rates are shown as a range, and the true values are likely to lie within this range."

These are the latest R and growth rate estimates by NHS England regions.

Region R Growth rate % per day

England 1.2-1.5 +4 to +8

East of England 1.1-1.3 +1 to +4

London 1.2-1.5 +4 to +9

Midlands 1.2-1.5 +3 to +7

North East and Yorkshire 1.2-1.5 +4 to +8

North West 1.2-1.5 +3 to +9

South East 1.0-1.3 +1 to +5

South West 1.1-1.4 +1 to +6