Covid cases near peak of second wave as schoolchildren fuel the rise

Levels of Covid infection in England are approaching the peak seen at the height of Wave 2 and are primarily determined by rates among schoolchildren.

Overall, one in 60 people in private households in England had Covid-19 in the week of October 9, compared to one in 70 the week before.

One in 60 people is equivalent to about 890,000 people. At the height of the second wave in early January, around one in 50 people were estimated to have coronavirus

About one in 10 students in Grades 7 to 11 had coronavirus in the week leading up to October 9, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

When modeling the level of Covid-19 infections among different age groups in England, the ONS said rates increased for school years 7 to 11, people aged 50 to 69 and those aged 70 and over.

Rates have also increased for those aged 50 to 69, those aged 70 and over, and there are warning signs of a possible increase for those in grades 12 to 24.

In Wales, around one in 45 people were believed to have been infected with Covid-19 in the week of October 9, up from one in 55 the week before and the highest since estimates began in July 2020.

In Northern Ireland the latest estimate is one in 120, down from 130 the week before, and in Scotland the figure is around one in 80, down from one in 60 the week before.

While infection levels in England are high, they do not lead to the same level of hospitalizations and deaths as in the second peak thanks to the success of the vaccination campaign.

The spread of the virus is more common among younger age groups who have not been vaccinated or who have only been bitten in recent weeks.

The percentage of people testing positive for Covid-19 is estimated to have increased in all parts of England except the East Midlands, London and the North East, the ONS said.

It came as NHS England said more than three million additional Covid-19 jabs were delivered in four weeks.

A total of 3.1 million recalls have been given, with two in five people aged 50 and over eligible, the statement said.

More than a third of eligible health and care workers also received their booster shots.