CORONAVIRUS case rates for each of the four UK nations have dropped to a six-month low, but continue to show signs of levelling off, latest figures suggest.

Wales has the lowest rate among the four nations, with 39.1 cases per 100,000 people recorded in the seven days to March 24. Rates have not been at this level in Wales since mid-September.

The pace of the drop has slowed considerably, however, with the latest seven-day rate barely changed from 42.6 recorded a week earlier or 40.3 the week before that.

It is a similar story in England, where the current rate of 55.9 cases per 100,000 people is down only slightly from 57.1 in the previous week and 58.8 a fortnight earlier.

In Scotland, the rate currently stands at 70.1, compared with 73.5 a week earlier and 69.5 two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland has seen its seven-day rate drop slightly from 66.4 on March 10 to 59.8 on March 17 and 56.3 by March 24.

The figures, compiled by the PA news agency using data from the UK’s health agencies, suggest rates of new recorded cases of coronavirus have reached or are near a “floor”, below which they are unlikely to fall much further.

Rates are also flatlining at levels higher than the floor seen last summer.

The Leader:

At the start of September 2020 – before the second wave of the virus began to take hold across the UK – all four nations were recording rates below 25.0.

Rates were even lower at the start of August, with all nations below 10.0.

The latest figures come as each nation starts to ease lockdown restrictions that have been in place since the start of the year.

In Wales, the “stay local” rule was lifted on Saturday, and six people from up to two households can meet outdoors or stay in self-contained holiday accommodation.

Delivering the latest daily COVID-19 figures for Wales on Monday, incident director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales Dr Giri Shankar urged the nation to remain cautious.

He said: “Last week Welsh Government announced the lifting of the ‘stay local’ requirement from Saturday 27 March, and that self-contained holiday accommodation can open for those who live in Wales.

“People should stay within the borders of Wales unless for essential travel such as work or education.

“In addition, six people from two households are able to meet outdoors, organised outdoors activities for children under 18 can resume, and libraries can re-open.

“This slight easing of Covid lockdown rules is encouraging, however while the number of cases is declining overall, there are still several areas which have significantly higher rates.

“This is a stark reminder of the need for everyone to maintain constant vigilance, by practising hand hygiene, keeping two metres apart from people that you don’t live with, and wearing a mask in indoor environments.

“It is clear that coronavirus has not gone away, and there are still a large number of people who have not been vaccinated. In order to protect everyone, including the most vulnerable, we must all stick to the rules.”