The lifting of lockdown measures came with a warning from the Prime Minister to remain cautious, while chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the UK is close to the previous ‘winter wave’ of infections, with around 50,000 people testing positive per day.
The winter lockdown was imposed shortly after restrictions were briefly lifted in time for Christmas, when the government granted a three-day period to allow people to meet indoors in small numbers.
But how do Covid-19 infection rates compare to the last time restrictions were eased in December? Listed are the 10 areas of England which have seen coronavirus cases increase by five times per 100,000 people from 26 December to 19 July ‘freedom day’. Images are for illustrative purposes.
. Pedestrians walk past a sign covered in stickers from an anti-vaccine demonstration, asking people to social distance, near Marble Arch in central London on June 6, 2021. - The Delta variant of the coronavirus, first discovered in India, is estimated to be 40 percent more transmissible than the Alpha variant that caused the last wave of infections in the UK, Britain's health minister said Sunday. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP) (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Covid case rates are five times higher than at Christmas in 10 England areas (Photo: Getty Images) Photo: TOLGA AKMEN
. Redcar and Cleveland
Case rate in 7 days to 26 December 2020: 144.4. Case rate in 7 days to 19 July 2021: 1,546.50 Photo: NIKLAS HALLE'N
. Middlesbrough
Case rate in 7 days to 26 December 2020: 242.6. Case rate in 7 days to 19 July 2021: 1,393.80 Photo: Hugh Hastings
1. Redcar and Cleveland
Case rate in 7 days to 26 December 2020: 144.4. Case rate in 7 days to 19 July 2021: 1,546.50 Photo: NIKLAS HALLE'N
2. Middlesbrough
Case rate in 7 days to 26 December 2020: 242.6. Case rate in 7 days to 19 July 2021: 1,393.80 Photo: Hugh Hastings
3. Stockton-on-Tees
Case rate in 7 days to 26 December 2020: 238.7. Case rate in 7 days to 19 July 2021: 1,220.70 Photo: Hollie Adams
4. Copeland
Case rate in 7 days to 26 December 2020: 92.4. Case rate in 7 days to 19 July 2021: 1,151.30 Photo: TOLGA AKMEN