According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, one in 30 people in England had coronavirus in the week ending June 24, as cases continue to rise from Omicron’s BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants. That equates to 2.3 million infections – a 32% increase from 1.7 million the previous week. It’s the highest estimate for weekly infections since late April, but still well below the record high of 4.9 million reached in late March. According to ONS figures, 5.47 per cent of the population (or 1 in 18) had Covid in Scotland in the week to 24 June. This figure was 3.87 per cent (1 in 25) for Northern Ireland and 3.49 per cent (1 in 30) for Wales. Here are the key questions and answers about Covid-19 infections in your area.
What are the infection figures from UK countries?
For now, the virus remains most prevalent in Scotland, where an estimated 288,200 people – equivalent to one in 1 people – have been infected in the past week. This is a weekly increase of 250,700, or one in 20. It is also the highest estimate for Scotland since early April. In England, 1.8 million people were likely to have the virus last week – or one in 30 – up from 1.4 million, or one in 40, the week before. In Wales, infections have risen to around 106.00, or one in 30, from 68,500, or one in 45. Northern Ireland saw infections rise to 71,000 people, or one in 25, from 59,900, or one in 30.
Where are the Covid hotspots in England?
According to the ONS, the capital currently has the highest number of cases in the country, with an estimated 3.7 per cent of Londoners infected with the virus. Behind London were the East of England, the North West and the North East (3.6 per cent). The region with the lowest number of infections was the East Midlands (2.8%). To find out more about the Covid infection figures in your area, use the drop-down menu to select your area on the interactive map from the ONS here:
Which age groups are seeing the most increases in infections?
The prevalence of the virus in England is likely to be highest among people aged 50 to 69, where 4.2 per cent, or one in 25, were likely to have had the virus in the past week. The next highest estimate was for 25- to 34-year-olds, at 4.1%.
What is the latest Covid vaccination data?
Around one in six people aged 75 and over have not received a dose of vaccine in the last six months, putting them at greater risk of serious disease, the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) said. All people over 75 were offered a spring booster, available at least three months after the most recent vaccine, to ensure they continued to receive maximum protection against the virus.
What about the infection rate in UK hospitals?
The total number of people in hospital testing positive for Covid-19 is now on a clear upward trend across much of the UK. Some 8,928 patients in England had Covid-19 as of June 30, a 39% increase on the previous week, according to government figures. This is just over half the patient level recorded at the peak of the Omicron BA.2 wave. In Wales, 548 Covid-19 patients were in hospital on June 29, up 52% on the previous week. In Scotland the number of patients increased by 34% each week, reaching 1,298 on 26 June. The trend in Northern Ireland is uncertain, with numbers rising in early June before leveling off in recent days to between 320 and 340. About six in 10 hospital patients who test positive for Covid-19 are being treated primarily for something other than the virus. But they will have to be isolated from those patients who do not have Covid, putting extra pressure on hospital staff. With additional reporting from the Press Association
