ANY hopes Britain can avoid a second wave of coronavirus rely on the rate of infection being reduced – and research suggests Knutsford and Wilmslow are playing their part.

The Government wants to keep down the R value below one, meaning the number of people that a person infected with Covid-19 can pass it on to.

Optimism surrounding the decision to ease lockdown on Monday was somewhat tempered by the Government’s scientific advisors, who warned the UK’s R value could be one in some areas.

But new analysis shows that Cheshire East, which includes Knutsford and Wilmslow, has an estimated R value of 0.73.

That figure was calculated over a 14-day period up to May 26 by scientists posting their findings on the crowd-sharing research platform Deckzero.

It is the lowest R value the researchers have estimated for Cheshire East since May 14, when it was 0.68.

Knutsford Guardian:

The borough's estimated R value has remained below one since April 16

Meanwhile, neighbours in Cheshire West also seem to be playing their part in keeping the rate of infection down, with an R value of 0.56 as of May 26.

However, the data only reflects the number of new cases that are confirmed by Public Health England, meaning the number of positive Covid-19 tests.

Any unknown cases of coronavirus, where someone has not been tested and perhaps has no symptoms, are not picked up in the Public Health England data.

There is also a delay in the data being used to update the R value, meaning the number based on a rolling 14-day period is subject to change.

In Cheshire East, three new cases were confirmed on May 27 and a further 10 on May 28.

So while the latest estimated R value might seem like good news, no one should be complacent and it is vital to continue social distancing.

Stay at home as much as possible, keep 2m apart from anyone who is not from the same household and regularly wash your hands for 20 seconds.

For more guidance see gov.uk/coronavirus or to see the latest estimated R value visit deckzero.com/covid19