The UK's critical coronavirus R number has risen above 1.3, new data shows. In England it is believed to be 1.4, while in Scotland and Wales it is 1.3 - meaning case numbers are doubling every seven days, according to a symptom tracker app.
It is estimated that 69,686 people currently have symptomatic Covid-19 - nearly double last week's figure of 35,248. Each day a further 7,500 people are infected, scientists believe - and this is likely to rise.
The North East and Yorkshire are believed to have 13,000 cases, with the North West close behind. Around 9,500 are thought to have coronavirus in the Midlands, data shows.
Tim Spector, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King's College London, said: “The data from the app is painting a worrying