New figures are expected to give the clearest picture yet of how many people in England have currently got Covid-19.
The results of a pilot study will be published on Thursday afternoon, with Office for National Statistics (ONS) data examining the period April 26 to May 8.
Early results from 7,087 people estimated that 0.24 per cent of the population in England were currently positive for Covid-19, or around 136,000 people.
A spokesman for the ONS said: "The statistical bulletin will be the first of a regular release of analysis of the Covid-19 infection survey results and will contain updated information about the estimated number of people in England who are currently infected with Covid-19.
"Further analysis, including regional breakdowns, is being planned to give more insight into the spread of the virus in this country in the coming weeks."
The ONS is running a bigger long-term study to track the spread of the virus in the general population.
This wider study, which will include up to 300,000 people, includes antibody testing to help understand how many people have had Covid-19 in the past.
