The South West's coronavirus infection rate is once again the highest in the country as infections surge.
New data released by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies shows our region's R number is now between 1.1 to 1.5, up from 0.9 and 1.2 in December.
This means every ten people with the virus could be spreading it to up to 15 others.
London declared a 'major incident' today (January 8) as cases and hospital admissions in the capital soar.
But this region was below the South West, at 1.1 to 1.4 - the same as the national average.
Every area in England currently has a reproductive number above one, which means the virus is spreading exponentially across the country.
Our region's growth rate is also the highest in England, with +2 to +8. This means the virus could be spreading by up to eight per cent every day.
Gloucester and Sedgemoor have some of the highest Covid rates per 100,000 people, with 522.7 and 470.9, respectively. Bristol's has peaked at 408.7 this week.
Department of Health data shows 400,640 people across the UK have tested positive for Covid in seven days, a 33 per cent increase in a week.
Earlier today the Office for National Statistics said up to three in every five coronavirus cases in England are now associated with a new mutant strain.
And it is estimated that one in 50 people in the country had the virus last week.
