A React-1 study of 175,000 swab tests carried out up to Monday shows the growth of the second wave is slowing nationally but still with steep rises regionally

Lack of hand washing, social distancing and mask wearing could be fuelling Covid-19 outbreaks across northern England, scientists have warned.

Experts unveiling the UK’s largest Coronavirus surveillance study said London may be protected because its residents suffered a worse first wave.

Latest findings suggest precautions such as mask wearing and self-isolation after symptoms are being more closely adhered to.

The React-1 study of 175,000 swab tests carried out up to Monday shows an overall slowing of the growth of the outbreak nationally.

However this includes steep increases in the North East, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber.