Coronavirus UK map: How many confirmed cases are there in your area?

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There have been more than 280,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and some 40,000 people have lost their lives, government figures show.

However, these numbers only include people who have been tested, and the total number of deaths relating to coronavirus is likely to be higher.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which counts death certificates mentioning the virus, suggests deaths had reached more than 48,000 by 22 May.

When looking at deaths over and above the expected number by this time of year, the toll rises to almost 62,000 by the same date.

Some of these deaths are likely to include people with undiagnosed coronavirus or those who died as an indirect result of the pandemic.

Coronavirus accounted for about 21% of all deaths in the UK in the week to 22 May, according to death registration data.

In the week to 17 April, when deaths from the virus reached their peak, this figure was just under 40%.

• Your tributes to those who have died

Find out how the pandemic has affected your area and how it compares with the national average:

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How many cases and deaths in your area?

Enter a UK postcode, English, Welsh or Northern Irish council name, or Scottish health board name to find out

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Deaths are death registrations where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA – updated weekly. Although the numbers of deaths per 100,000 people shown in the charts above have not been weighted to account for variations in demography between local authorities, the virus is known to affect disproportionately older people, BAME people, and people from more deprived households or employed in certain occupations.

Cases only include people who have had a positive test for the virus. Not everyone with the virus will have had a test. Source: UK public health bodies - updated daily.

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Downward trend in daily deaths has slowed

The new coronavirus, which causes the disease Covid-19, was first confirmed in the UK at the end of January, but the number of daily confirmed cases and related deaths only began to increase significantly by the second half of March.

The UK has the highest official death toll in Europe and the second highest in the world. However, the government and many experts say it is too soon to make international comparisons.

On Saturday, the government announced a further 204 deaths.

The majority of the UK's deaths have been in England, with more than 36,000 so far - about 90% of the total for the UK.

In Scotland, the official government figure for deaths is 2,415, but data on death registrations from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests it had reached nearly 4,000 by 31 May.

In Wales, the death toll stands at 1,393 while there have been 537 deaths in Northern Ireland.

• Coronavirus in Scotland: Key figures and trends
• What do the stats tell us in Wales?

This week's figures from the ONS show the overall death total in the UK for the week to 22 May had fallen, but was still above normal for the time of year.

Research by Public Health England (PHE) has found that people from ethnic minorities have a disproportionately higher risk of dying from coronavirus than people of white British ethnicity. But it is still not clear why - the study did not look at occupations or obesity, which are also known to be high risk factors.

Most recorded coronavirus deaths have been among the elderly, with NHS England figures showing more than half of deaths have been among people aged over 80.

About 25% of all coronavirus related deaths have been among care home residents, according to the ONS, but the latest data suggests that has now stabilised.

What is the R number in the UK?

The "R number" is the average number of people an infected person will pass the disease on to.

If R is below one then the number of people contracting the disease will fall; if it is above one, the number will grow.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, known as Sage, believes the R number across the whole of the UK is currently between 0.7 and 0.9.

That estimate is the same for Scotland and Northern Ireland, while it is between 0.7 and 1.0 in England and Wales.

However, new research produced by PHE and Cambridge University's MRC Biostatistics Unit suggests the R number has increased across England in recent weeks.

The model found it is highly likely that R remains below 1 in most regions, but said it is at 1 in the South West and just above 1 in the North West.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, Public Health England's medical director, said an increase was "to be expected as we gradually move out of lockdown."

Sage's estimate for the UK figure is based on several different models, including those produced by PHE and Cambridge. Each uses different methods and assumptions and gives a different set of regional values for R.

The government has said that the R number is one of the most important factors in deciding when lockdown measures can be eased.

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New cases also continue to fall

The number of newly confirmed cases each day has been falling since a peak in April, despite an increase in the number of tests being carried out, and the seven-day rolling average shows a clear downward trend.

A further 1,650 cases were announced on Friday.

However, estimates by the ONS suggest there could be nearly 6,000 cases per day in England alone - not including cases in hospitals or care homes - where people either show no symptoms or have mild symptoms and are not tested for the virus.

Cases were originally concentrated in London, the Midlands and the North West, but Wales and parts of the North East have also had a high proportions of cases.

Going forward, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has raised the possibility that there could be "local lockdowns" to control the spread of the virus.

Hospitals seeing fewer coronavirus patients

The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 has been gradually declining since a peak over Easter.

On Friday, the government said the number of people in hospital with coronavirus had fallen to 7,080 - down 15% from the same time last week.

However, the picture is different across the UK's nations and regions, with numbers falling faster in some areas than others.

Testing now available to more people

The UK has exceeded its target to increase testing capacity to 200,000 a day by the end of May, the government has said.

However, the UK Statistics Authority has criticised how the data has been presented, saying the aim appears to be to show "the largest possible number of tests, even at the expense of understanding".

Mr Hancock says he is looking at ways the information could be "improved".

There were 218,187 tests in the 24 hours to 09:00 on Saturday, according to government figures.

At least two million people have been tested for coronavirus - but the government has been unable to provide an updated figure for the number of people tested for more than a week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged people to come forward for tests if they are showing symptoms.

Increased testing is essential for the government's "test and trace" strategy.

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