COVID-19 cases in UK rocket by almost a third in week

COVID-19 infections in the UK have soared by almost a third in just a week, according to the latest official estimates.

Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that in the week to 3 October the number of people testing positive for coronavirus stood at 1.7 million.

This is up 31% from 1.3 million in the previous week, the biggest hike since June.

COVID-19 cases have increased in England, Wales and Northern Ireland but the trend is uncertain in Scotland, the ONS said.

There has also been “another notable rise” in infections among older age groups, who have the highest rates of admission to hospital.

The figures were published on the day that everyone in England aged 50 and over can now book an appointment to receive a coronavirus booster.

The UK-wide total of cases is the highest since late July, but is still some way below the 3.8 million weekly infections earlier that month.

There is a delay in the reporting of the ONS data due to the time it takes for the survey to be compiled.

More recent figures show the number of people in hospital testing positive for coronavirus is still on a clear upwards trend, though there are signs the rate of increase may have slowed in recent days.

Sarah Crofts, ONS deputy director for the COVID-19 infection survey, said: “Infections have risen again across much of the United Kingdom, continuing the pattern of steady increases seen over recent weeks, although Scotland and the north east of England had uncertain trends in the latest week.

“We have also seen another notable rise in infections among older age groups in England and Wales, underlining once again the need for close monitoring as we move through the colder months.”

In England, the number of people testing positive for coronavirus in the latest survey was 1.5 million, or around one in 35 people. This was up from 1.1 million, or one in 50, the previous week.

There has also been a rise in Wales, where the latest estimate for infections is 74,900, or one in 40 people, up from 63,400, or one in 50.

The trend in Scotland is described by the ONS as “uncertain”, with 109,700 people likely to have COVID-19 in the latest survey, or one in 50, compared with 113,000 previously, or one in 45.

In Northern Ireland the latest estimate is 45,100 infections, or one in 40 people, compared with 46,100, which is also one in 40, although the longer trend is showing an increase.