He said 4.9 million people in the UK were estimated to have the virus, up from 4.3 million last week. In England, about one in 13 people were likely to test positive for COVID last week, or 4.1 million people – up from one in 16, or 3.5 million people – in the week to March 19. The latest COVID-19 news as hospital admissions for people over 65, the highest since early 2021 In Wales, the estimate has risen from 192,900, or one in 16, to 212,000, or one in 14. Both England and Wales now have record levels of infection. Recent data also show that the percentage of people who test positive for COVID-19 has continued to rise in all parts of England. The highest rates of infection are in the South West of England, with one in 11 people estimated to have had the virus last week, followed by the South East of England (one in 12) and London (one in 13). Prevalence remains higher among children between the ages of two and school year 6, with one in 11 likely having COVID-19 last week. However, infections are now at record levels among people aged 35 to 49, 50 to 69 and 70 and older. The latest ONS figures also show that hospitalizations in the UK increased in the week ended March 27th. Hospital admissions increased in people aged 45 and over, but decreased or remained similar in all other age groups, the data showed. Read more: Former head of COVID jabs warns pandemic is not over Situation in Scotland and Northern Ireland is ‘uncertain’ In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the ONS said the trend towards positive cases was “uncertain”. An estimated 451,200 people were infected with the virus in Scotland last week, or about one in 12. That’s down from 473,800 people, or one in 11, last week. Follow the Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker In Northern Ireland, 123,000 people were likely to have COVID-19 last week, or one in 15 people: out of 108,700 or one in 17. Both nations are slightly below recent infection record levels. The COVID R number in England is declining Despite the high number of coronavirus infections recorded, the UK’s R-number dropped between 1.1 and 1.2, according to the UK Health Insurance Agency. This means that for every 10 people infected, an average of 11 to 12 other people will be infected. Last week, the range was between 1.1 and 1.4. Kara Steel, ONS COVID-19’s senior statistician for infection research, said the “rapid increase” in cases was fueled by the development of the Omicron BA.2 variant across the UK. “Infection levels remain high, with the highest levels recorded in our survey in England and Wales and significant increases in older age groups,” he added. The latest figures come as the free COVID test is coming to an end for most people in England.
