The coronavirus reproduction rate in the Midlands is among the worst in England, new government figures show.
Health experts say the number of new Covid-19 infections is now growing nationally at between 4% to 8% every day.
The reproduction (R) rate nationally is between 1.2-1.5. This means that on average every 10 people infected will infect between 12 and 15 other people.
The Government has broken down the growth and R rate for all regions of the UK. In the Midlands, the R rate also stands at 1.2-1.5 and the growth rate is between 3 - 7% every day.
Only London and the north west have higher growth rates - they could be as high as 9% - and the north east and Yorkshire (8%). No other part of the country has a higher R rate, with the north west, north east and Yorkshire and London being the same as our region.
Here is the full breakdown:
| Region | R | Growth rate % per day |
|---|---|---|
| England | 1.2-1.5 | +4 to +8 |
| East of England | 1.1-1.3 | +1 to +4 |
| London | 1.2-1.5 | +4 to +9 |
| Midlands | 1.2-1.5 | +3 to +7 |
| North East and Yorkshire | 1.2-1.5 | +4 to +8 |
| North West | 1.2-1.5 | +3 to +9 |
| South East | 1.0-1.3 | +1 to +5 |
| South West | 1.1-1.4 | +1 to +6 |
