New data suggest a levelling-off in the rate at which coronavirus is spreading in the UK, buoying hopes that families might be able to mix at Christmas as the government prepares to outline its strategy for England after the lockdown ends on December 2.
The UK government will next week continue discussions with the devolved administrations to find a unified approach to the Christmas period, with the UK health secretary warning on Friday that the public should not expect a “normal” festive season.
Their decision will be informed by government scientists’ latest estimate, announced on Friday, that the number of new infections is rising by anywhere between 0 and 2 per cent every day, down from 1 to 3 per cent the week before at the end of last week.
Meanwhile, the R value — the average number of new cases generated by an infected individual — has remained relatively stable at 1-1.1, according to the report by the Government Office for Science. This means that…
