Coronavirus R rate creeps up above 1 in London just hours before lockdown eases

mirror.co.uk:

Alarming new figures show the R rate range has risen above 1 in London - meaning cases of the deadly virus could be growing again.

It comes just hours before lockdown restrictions are eased in England, with pubs allowed to open again from 6am. In four other regions - the Midlands, the North East and Yorkshire, the South East and the South West - experts believe the R rate could also be as high as 1.

If the R rate goes above 1, it means the number of infections is on the rise, as each individual with the disease is infecting more than one other person.

In order for the disease to be in retreat, the R rate needs to be below 1, but scientists fear a surge of new cases as restrictions are eased.