More than HALF of Brits live in Covid-free areas just 2 months after England was ravaged by virus as pubs open TODAY
MORE than HALF of Brits live in Covid-free areas just two months after England was ravaged by the killer bug.
It comes as pubs started welcoming outdoor drinkers today in the next stage of unlocking.
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Public data now shows some areas of the UK have not reported a single case in more than a month.
With infections so low in areas that are home to 34.5million Brits, Public Health England have redacted weekly case tallies to protect the privacy of those who test positive.
On PHE’s interactive map of the UK’s cases, information for many areas reads: “There were fewer than 3 cases. For smaller areas with fewer than 3 cases, we do not show data. This is to protect individuals' identities.”
Data from shows these 4,307 areas have had at most two - but possibly zero - new cases in the week ending April 4.
Meanwhile 1,091 areas with a population of 8.2million have had their data suppressed every week since February.
Just 20,000 cases are now being reported in England each week - compared to a peak of 380,000.
During that time only six neighbourhoods out of 6,791 had low enough cases to require redaction.
Now Areas of Devon such as Combe Martin, Bampton, Lynton, Holcombe and Westleigh have gone 10 weeks with nearly zero cases.
Meanwhile in Cornwall Roseland, Towednack, Probus, Lelant and Carbis Bay have gone nine.
The fall in cases comes as England prepares for further easing of lockdown restrictions, with non-essential retail, gyms and hairdressers allowed to reopen from Monday.
Outdoor hospitality, such as pubs and restaurants, are now able to restart with table service.
Up to 15 guests will be allowed to attend a wedding ceremony and reception, while 30 mourners will be able to attend a funeral service.
The next step of Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown is expected to happen on May 17.
Depending on the number of new cases and deaths, as well as the pressure on the NHS, more restrictions could be relaxed.
They include the reopening of indoor hospitality, more freedoms in terms of social contact and possibly the option to travel abroad on holiday.
But despite the easing of restrictions, the official coronavirus R rate has stalled close to the critical 1 in England.
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As infections continue to fall across the country the R rate has remained stagnant at 0.8 to 1 for the third week running.
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Last week Government advisers at Sage failed to agree on the figure for across the UK because case numbers are so low.
Sage again said yesterday: "No UK estimates for R and growth rate have been agreed."
