How 100 days of coronavirus has changed the UK

Anthony Cuthbertson puts together a visual guide of how Covid-19 has affected the country economically, socially and environmentally, using nine maps and charts

A hundred days after the first confirmed case, the UK has the second-highest number of Covid-19 deaths (Getty)

On 31 January, two Chinese tourists visiting York brought the first confirmed cases of coronavirus to the UK.

At the time, there had been fewer than 10,000 cases worldwide – these were mostly in China where the outbreak had started – and the global death toll was less than 300.

The day before the first UK cases were confirmed, the World Health Organisation had declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern,”, though the full extent of the virus’s threat was not yet clear. It would be two weeks before the new coronavirus was given a specific name: Covid-19.

Less than two months later, on 23 March, with infection rates rapidly climbing, the UK became the 47th country to declare a nationwide lockdown.

To mark the 100th day of coronavirus in the UK, and with the country still under lockdown, The Independent has put together a series of maps and charts to understand the impact of the pandemic so far.​

One of the key metrics to assess how quickly the deadly virus is spreading is the number of new daily cases.

The UK has overtaken France, Italy and Spain to become the worst hit country in Europe by this measure, though the infection rate appears to have levelled off since the lockdown was introduced.

In terms of deaths, the UK is second only to the US.

Every single region of the UK has recorded cases of Covid-19, with London seeing the most concentrated outbreak.

Containment measures designed to slow the spread of the virus have significantly altered the way we travel.

Even before the lockdown, Apple Maps began to receive far fewer requests for driving directions.

A similar pattern was seen for requests for directions on public transport, with only essential travel permitted from late March.

This has helped contribute to a major drop in air pollution throughout the country. Fewer vehicles on the road led to lower levels of NO2 – one of the toxic gases in exhaust emissions.

It is too early to judge the full extent of the economic impact of the coronavirus, but its immediate effect has been historic.

The UK stock market has followed a similar trajectory to those in other countries badly hit by the virus, while GDP growth could be on track to be the worst on record.

Scientists and health figures have criticised the UK’s response for being too slow compared with other countries, though this hasn’t prevented the government experiencing an upswing in its public approval ratings.

This has coincided with a boost in popular support for nearly every government in badly affected countries, which often occurs during times of crisis.