The rate of new infections of coronavirus could be starting to shrink according to the latest data from the government.

The weekly Friday figures from the Government and SAGE (the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) were updated this lunchtime and they show a further drop in both the reproduction and growth rate for the region.

They now believe that in the south west the virus could start to shrink by as much as -2 per cent each day, although it could still also grow by +2 per cent daily. This would still be at a much slower rate than previously, when the the region had a growth rate of +1 per cent to +4 per cent.

SAGE said that the "true values are likely to lie within this range."

Similarly, the south west's reproduction number, or R, is now between 0.9 and 1.1. These are the average number of people that every one person with the virus is expected to then go on to infect - and means that for the first time in many months, SAGE believes not everyone with the virus will definitely infect at least one other person.

It is down from the 1.0 to 1.3 last week.

The predictions comes following yesterday's government announcement that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is one of only two local authorities to be placed in Tier 1 - along with the Isle of Wight - once national lockdown restrictions are lifted next Wednesday.

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The current estimate growth for the virus by the Government and SAGE for the UK as a whole is now between -2 per cent per cent and 0 per cent each day, meaning they expect the virus to start shrinking this week, with an R number range of 0.9 to 1.0.

As of last night (Thursday), Cornwall specifically has a weekly rate of 59.1 cases per 100,000 people, which is a third lower than last Friday when there was a rolling rate of 90.2 cases per 100,000 people.

There were 338 cases in the seven days leading up to November 22 - a drop of 178 cases week-on-week.

SAGE said this week: "It is SAGE’s expert view that this week’s estimates are reliable.

"These estimates represent the transmission of Covid-19 over the past few weeks due to the time delay between someone being infected, having symptoms and needing healthcare.

"Estimates for R and growth rates are shown as a range, and the true values are likely to lie within this range."

These are the latest R and growth rate estimates by NHS England regions.

Region R Growth rate % per day

England 0.9-1.0 -2 to +1

East of England 0.9-1.1 -1 to +2

London 1.0-1.1 0 to +2

Midlands 0.9-1.1 -2 to +1

North East and Yorkshire 0.8-1.0 -3 to 0

North West 0.7-0.9 -5 to -2

South East 1.0-1.2 0 to +3

South West 0.9-1.1 -2 to +2