The rise means the overall number of infections in the UK has also risen, but levels are estimated to have fallen in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Around 927,900 people in private households across the country are likely to have tested positive for coronavirus in the week ending September 14, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is up 5% from 881,200 the previous week. Infections across the UK have been falling steadily since early July, when the total reached 3.8 million at the peak of the wave caused by the Omicron virus subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. The number of people in hospitals with COVID has also shown early signs of increasing. However, the ONS’s deputy director for research into COVID-19 infection, Sarah Crofts, warned that it was “too early” to tell whether the trends would continue. “We will be closely monitoring the data to see any impact of the school reopening in the coming weeks,” he said. Where did cases increase and where did they decrease? In England, the proportion of people who tested positive was 766,500, or about one in 70 – up from 705,800, or one in 75, the previous week. Infections are estimated to have increased in the north-east of England, London, the West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber, while they have decreased in the south-east of England. Subscribe to the Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker Wales has also seen a rise, where the latest estimate for infections is 39,700, or one in 75 people, up from 28,200, or one in 110. In Scotland, 98,800 people were likely to have COVID-19 at the last survey, or about one in 55 – up from 113,500, or one in 45. In Northern Ireland the estimate is 22,900, or one in 80 people, up from 33,700, or one in 55. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:27 UK approves new double jab on COVID Which age groups are most affected? Among age groups in England, the proportion of people infected with coronavirus is estimated to have increased for children aged 7 to 11 and for those aged 25-34. In all other groups, the trend was again described as uncertain. However, rates were lower among children aged between two and 11 years. Read more: The end of the pandemic ‘apparently’ Can you get a booster shot? “next generation” The highest number of infections has been seen among people aged 50 to 69 years. A new booster dose of vaccine is currently available to anyone aged 65 and over, provided they had their last vaccination at least three months ago. Doses are also available to health and frontline care workers, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. A souvenir will eventually be offered to everyone age 50 and older this fall.
