THE 'R rate' for the South West has decreased for the second consecutive week and the growth rate also appears to be falling.

The fresh data, which has been released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) on Friday, January 29 rates the ability to spread Covid-19 and the number of people that one infected person will pass the virus on to, on average.

The updated 'R rate' for the South West, including Dorset, is now between 0.8 - 1.1, which is higher than the latest R number range for the UK of 0.7 - 1.1.

The Government say an R value between 0.8 and 1.1 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between eight and 11 other people.

The current growth rate in the South West is set at -4 to +1. The size of the growth rate indicates the speed of change.

A growth rate of +1 per cent indicates the epidemic is growing faster than a growth rate of 0 per cent.

Likewise, a growth rate of -4 per cent indicates the epidemic is shrinking faster than a growth rate of -3 per cent.

The South West previously had an R rate of 0.9 - 1.2, with a growth rate between -2 per cent to +3 per cent.

The R rate for the South West still remains the highest across the country, but remains joint highest with North West, North East and Yorkshire.

Areas that have been under strict lockdown restrictions longer than other parts of the country, namely East of England, London and South East, have seen their R rate fall slightly. This suggests that lockdown measures are working. 

These are the latest R estimates by NHS England regions: 

Region - R Growth rate - per day

England: 0.7 to 1.0, -4 to 0

East of England: 0.7 to 0.9, -6 to -2

London: 0.6 to 0.9, -7 to -2

Midlands: 0.8 to 1.1, -3 to +1

North East and Yorkshire: 0.8 to 1.1, -3 to +2

North West: 0.8 to 1.1, -4 to +1

South East: 0.7 to 0.9, -6 to -1

South West, 0.8 to 1.1, -4 to +1