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Covid reproduction rate in England jumps as Delta variant continues to spread

London infection rate ranks higher than English average

Data that indicates that over 90% of new Covid-19 cases in the UK are the Delta variant
Data that indicates that over 90% of new Covid-19 cases in the UK are the Delta variant Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The reproduction rate of coronavirus in England has jumped up to between 1.2 to 1.4, as the epidemic becomes fuelled by growth of the Delta variant first discovered in India.

The increased R number, updated on 11 June, comes as the government mulls over how to proceed with the last phase of its roadmap out of lockdown, set to begin as early as 21 June. When the R number is above 1, the spread of infection is growing.

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