After two weeks of decreasing cases, England’s Covid crisis began to rebound last week according to official data.
Office for National Statistics (ONS) data estimated around 862,300 people caught the virus on any given day in the week up to November 20, up 4.5 per cent on the 824,900 the week before.
The weekly surveillance report was based upon random swab test results from thousands of Britons and suggested that 1 in 65 were infected in the last week.
The figures add to the slew of reports released yesterday suggesting infection levels across the country are increasing again — although the spike is being driven in unvaccinated children.
ZOE measured the symptoms of people who fell ill during the week ended November 20. This was based upon test results taken from approximately 750,000 volunteers.
Separate data today from the UK Health Security Agency showed that cases rose in 35% of England’s local governments last week.
According to the agency’s weekly surveillance reports, the total number of positive cases increased eight percent from 223,000 the week ended November 14, 2015 to the last week.
Meanwhile, the Government’s dashboard data — which offers a snapshot of the current levels of infection — suggested cases began to flatline yesterday.
The Department of Health reported 47,240 infections last Thursday, a mere 0.9 percent increase over the 46,807.
Data from Office for National Statistics (ONS), estimated that around 862 300 people contracted the virus in any day of the week through November 20, up 4.5% on the 824.900 week prior
Figures from the ONS show that people who tested positive in schools between years 12-24 have increased, while those aged 25-34 had a decrease.
Last week saw a variation in Covid testing results across England. It increased in the North East and East Midlands, while it decreased in the East.
According to the ONS, there was an increase in positive tests for people aged between 12 and 24 years old. This is also true for students who were born last week.
While the number of students who tested positive in their school years 7-11 and 70-plus decreased, this trend was still evident in the week to November 20. The trend for the other age groups was not clear during this week.
In the week ending on 20 November 2021, it was at its highest level for students aged two to six years old and school year seven to eleven. It stood at 3.69% and 3.53 percent respectively.
The percentage of people testing positive for Covid continued to fluctuate across regions in England last week, increasing in the North East, East Midlands and South East, and decreasing in the East of England.
In the two weeks up to 20 November 2021, the percentage testing positive also decreased in the North West, Yorkshire and The Humber and the South West — but the trend was ‘uncertain’ in the most recent week, the ONS said.
Meanwhile, the ZOE data yesterday suggested England’s R rate — the average number of people an infected person will pass the virus onto — is estimated to be around 1.1 for the whole of the UK, but slightly lower in Scotland (1.0).
The study was led by Professor Tim Spector of King’s College London, an epidemiologist who warned that cases are ‘too high’, and it wasn’t the right time to ‘present the UK as a Covid success tale’.
The number of cases rose by 18% compared with the estimates for the week before, which means that one in every 66 Britons has suffered from a symptomatic illness at some point.
The KCL team stated that cases are being driven now by those not vaccinated. Last week, 52,509 were reported in cases among people who had received only one or no jab.
The fastest growing infections are among children under 18, many of whom may not be eligible for jabs. The main cause of overall increases in infections in children was described as “the primary driver”
Professor Spector commented that seeing cases rise is disheartening. The recent ups-and-downs is unlike any previous wave and makes it difficult to forecast where they will go from week-to–week. For me the message is still that cases remain far too high.
“Although the UK appears to be doing better in terms of cases, there are still high rates of hospitalizations and deaths which should concern us.
‘Given the current overloading of our hospitals, now isn’t the time to portray the UK as a Covid success story, far from it.
“Whilst children are driving the increase in cases, it would be wrong to focus on them for the near-term.”
According to ZOE’s symptom-tracking study, symptoms of Covid rose nearly five percent last week. More than 76,000 Britons fell ill every day.
The UK Health Security Agency’s weekly surveillance report shows Covid infection levels grew in three quarters of England’s local authorities last week from the week ending November 14 (left) to last week (right)
He continued: ‘While the government is unlikely to enforce restrictions for Christmas, family gatherings will undoubtedly increase risk, especially for older and more vulnerable family members who haven’t yet had their third vaccine dose.
It is our responsibility to save Christmas. The third vaccination is available to those eligible. It’s important that we take the shot now.
“Be aware of the dangers and ensure that your family is not admitted to hospital during holidays.
Data from the Department of Health yesterday indicated that there are still more cases. This was the seventh consecutive day of cases increasing, but it was also the first time that the percentage change was lower than one percent since November 10.
Also, data showed that 147 people died in 24 hours after a positive Covid testing yesterday. This is more than 25% less than the 199 who were tested last week.
Hospital admissions have been falling, with 745 being recorded as of Sunday (the latest available date). The previous Sunday’s figure was 6.8% higher.
Experts think that Britain’s sudden surge in cases is due to children in school who are more susceptible to the virus than the declining deaths and hospitalisations.
Rates of infection have fallen in all over-60s over the last week, according to separate figures from the UK Health Security Agency released today. The agency’s weekly surveillance report showed cases rose in three quarters of England’s local authorities last week.