UK records 96,871 more cases of COVID-19 as number of infections rises among young people

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The United Kingdom recorded 96,871 more cases of Covid-19 and 338 deaths on Thursday as separate figures revealed a significant rise in infections among young children.

A total of 636,303 infections were recorded during the past seven days, down 2.2 percent from the previous week’s period.

Thursday’s daily case number was down 5 percent from the 102,292 infections reported the day before, and 10 percent down from the 107,363 cases recorded on the same day last week.

However, official data also indicates that the infection rate in the UK is now rising slightly.

After reaching a peak of just over 2,000 cases per 100,000 on January 4, it fell sharply over the following days to 922.6 in the seven days to January 17.

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But it has since risen slightly, reaching 949.2 cases per 100,000 in the seven days to January 22.

In London, another 11,694 cases were reported on Thursday – bringing the capital’s total confirmed infections to 22,18,248, although the real figure is much higher.

It comes as a King’s College/ZOE Covid study shows daily case levels in London have now risen to more than 300 people per 100,000 people paid by Omicron and the new BA.2 sub-strain.

Separate data from the UK’s Health Security Agency shows infection rates are now highest in the 5-9 age group, doubling from around 1,000 per 100,000 to more than 2,000 per 100,000 in just a few days.

The second age group most affected is the 10-19 age group. Cases are lowest between the 70-79 age group.

Scientists at King’s found that Covid infections jumped by a tenth across the UK last week, driven by a sharp rise in cases among children after schools reopened.

Professor Tim Spector, an epidemiologist and lead scientist on the study, said: “The rebound in case numbers as we lifted restrictions came sooner than many expected.

“But it is not surprising that, throughout the pandemic, we have repeatedly witnessed the end of the school holidays resulting in a rapid rise in cases among children, which are then transmitted to parents and school staff.

“Another emerging factor is that a new subtype of Omicron is taking over BA.2, which is likely to be more contagious. One in 20 new cases acquired this variant last week, and since it doubles every few days, it should predominate. That’s in a month.

“The ZOE data has also seen more confirmed cases in recent weeks, with about 7 percent of the new asymptomatic cases previously testing positive, suggesting that natural delta infections may not provide much protection.”

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As for deaths, the latest figures remain relatively flat with 1,839 deaths recorded in the past seven days, 21 less than the previous seven-day period.

There is more positive news about the number of people with Covid in hospital, which continues to decline steadily.

On Wednesday, there were 16,510 of those patients across the UK, 94 fewer than the day before, and down 11 per cent from the 18,563 people diagnosed with the disease in hospital on Wednesday, January 19.

The latest numbers come as Plan B measures have been further relaxed as face masks are no longer needed in most public places.

Meanwhile, the new data shows that the booster vaccine provides “high levels of protection” against the Omicron variant and significantly reduces the risk of death.

Protection against death with Omicron is around 60 per cent for those aged 50 and over six months after a second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, according to figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

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This increases to about 95 percent after two weeks of receiving a third booster dose.

The booster offers high levels of protection against hospitalization, figures show, with Pfizer’s strike effectiveness against admission at around 90 percent, dropping to about 75 percent after 10-14 weeks.

The effectiveness of Moderna’s booster against hospitalization is 90-95 percent up to nine weeks after vaccination.

People were once again urged to take a hit on the back of the results.

Dr Mary Ramsay, UKHSA’s Head of Immunization, said: “The evidence is clear – the vaccine helps protect us all from the effects of Covid-19 and the booster offers high levels of protection from hospitalization and death in the most vulnerable members of our community.

“The epidemic is not over yet and a vaccine is the best way to increase protection from the severe consequences of this virus. Please book your appointment for the first, second or third vaccination without delay.”

Vaccines Minister Maggie Throp added: “The booster vaccine is absolutely necessary to boost your immunity against the Omicron variant.”

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