THE 'R rate' for the South West has decreased for the first time in weeks - yet 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 22 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 0.9 - 1.2, which is higher than the latest R number range for the UK of 0.8 - 1.0.

The current growth rate in the South West, including Dorset, is set at -2 to +3. The size of the growth rate indicates the speed of change.

A growth rate of +3 per cent indicates the epidemic is growing faster than a growth rate of +1 per cent.

Likewise, a growth rate of -2 per cent indicates the epidemic is shrinking faster than a growth rate of -1 per cent.

The South West previously had an R rate of 1.2 - 1.5, with a growth rate between four per cent to seven per cent. 

The R rate for the South West still remains the highest across the country, but remains joint highest with Midlands.

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. This suggests that lockdown measures are working. 

These are the latest R estimates by NHS England regions: 

Region - R Growth rate - per day

England: 0.8-1.0, -4 to 0

East of England: 0.6-0.9, -8 to -2

London: 0.7-0.9, -7 to -3

Midlands: 0.9-1.2, -2 to +2

North East and Yorkshire: 0.8-1.1, -3 to +1

North West: 0.9- 1.2, -2 to +2

South East: 0.7-1.0, -6 to -2

South West: 0.9-1.2, -2 to +3