Forex Trading For Beginners 2021: Coronavirus infection levels continue to drop in the UK

Levels of coronavirus infections in the UK have continued to fall, Office for National Statistics data shows.

The figures, for the seven days up to 27 February, reveal around 280,000 people in the community with the virus.

It suggests that the number infected has fallen by about a third in the most recent week of data.

Infection have also dropped in the over 70s age group in England, potentially as a result of the vaccine rollout, say experts.

People are still being advised to take precautions to stop the spread.

Low virus levels are needed to get the best out of the vaccination programme. It takes time for immunity to build after having a jab and protection may not be absolute even after two doses. People who are vaccinated may still be able to pass on the virus to others.

High infection rates also give the virus more opportunities to mutate. Experts are already concerned about new and emerging variants that could evade some immunity from vaccination or prior infection.

More than 20 million people across the UK have now received a first dose, with a target to invite all over-50s by mid-April and people in their 40s and 30s after that.

Schools are reopening on Monday in England in the first easing of rules. It remains to be seen what effect this will have on infection rates.

The ONS results, based on tests from people whether or not they had symptoms, suggest:

Overall in the UK, one in 230 people has the virus
In England, it is one in 220 (compared to one in 145 the week before)
In Northern Ireland, it is one in 325 (compared to one in 195 previously)
In Wales, it is one in 285 (compared to one in 205 before)
In Scotland, it is one in 335 (compared to one in 225)

Sarah Crofts from the ONS said: "Infections continue to head in the right direction across the UK, with levels now similar to what we saw in early October and around a quarter of levels seen at the start of the year."