Coronavirus: R number 'lower than thought' before lockdown eased in England

Coronavirus: R number 'lower than thought' before lockdown eased in England The rate of coronavirus infections in England was significantly reduced before lockdown eased in May, according to a government-commissioned study.

Imperial College research showed there were on average 13 positive cases for every 10,000 people and the reproduction number - or R - was 0.57.

The R number was estimated to be between 0.7 and 1 at the time. BBC News

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