THE 'R rate' in the South West has increased once again and remains the highest in the country.

The fresh data, which has been released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) on Friday, January 15 rates the ability to spread Covid-19 and the number of people that one infected person will pass the virus on to, on average.

The updated 'R rate' for the South West is now between 1.2 - 1.5, which is higher than the latest R number range for the UK of 1.2 - 1.3.

The current growth rate in the South West, including Dorset, is set at +4 to +7, meaning that new infections are growing between four per cent to seven per cent every day.

The South West previously had an R rate of 1.1 - 1.5, with a growth rate between two per cent to eight per cent. 

The R rate for the South West remains the highest across the country, but now joint highest with North West region. 

Areas that have been under strict lockdown restrictions longer than other parts of the country, namely East of England, London and South East, have seen their R rate fall slightly.

These are the latest R estimates by NHS England regions: 

Region - R Growth rate - per day

England: 1.1-1.3, +1 to +4

East of England: 1.0-1.3, 0 to +4

London: 0.9-1.2, -2 to +3

Midlands: 1.2-1.4, +2 to +6

North East and Yorkshire: 1.1-1.3, +2 to +5

North West: 1.2-1.5, +3 to +

South East: 1.0-1.2, -1 to +3

South West: 1.2-1.5, +4 to +7