UK’s Covid-19 ‘R’ transmission rate spikes again

London, Oct 3 : The UK’s ‘R’ rate of coronavirus transmission has remained above 1 and is continuing to increase, according to the latest government update.
‘R’ represents the average number of people each Covid-19 positive person goes on to infect and when the figure is above 1, an outbreak can grow exponentially, the Metro newspaper reported.
Data released on Friday by the government’s Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) revealed that the rate was now estimated to be between 1.3 and 1.6, a spike from between 1.2 and 1.5 a week ago.
The government body further warned that while there were some early indications that suggest the growth of the pandemic might be slowing, it was too early to draw firm conclusions.
“It is still highly likely that the epidemic is growing exponentially across the country,” the scientists said, adding that more data was needed to accurately assess recent changes in coronavirus transmission.
“Over the next few weeks, it will be important that we understand this in the UK and do not become complacent.”