The R value and growth rate - ISS-G20 Laboratorium Repository

State of the UK epidemic

To better understand the state of the epidemic in the UK, we recommend focusing on indicators for the 4 nations of the UK individually, rather than an average value across the UK.

Estimates of the R value and growth rate for England and NHS regions are given below.

The latest ranges for R values and growth rates in the devolved administrations are published on their respective websites:

• R value and growth rate for Wales (Cymraeg)
• R value and growth rate for Scotland
• R value for Northern Ireland

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

Given the increasingly localised approach to managing the epidemic, particularly between nations, UK-level estimates are less meaningful than previously and may not accurately reflect the current picture of the epidemic.

The R value and growth rates for the 4 nations and NHS England regions are more robust and useful metrics than those for the whole UK. As a result, UK estimates of the R value and growth rate will no longer be produced.

Following extensive partnership working, the responsibility for estimating the R value and growth rates has transferred from SPI-M to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Entire content available on: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-r-value-and-growth-rate