COVID-19 infections in those aged between 20 and 29 are at the highest rate seen in any age group in England since the pandemic began, according to new data.

The latest Public Health England surveillance report on the coronavirus found that, for the week to 18 July, there were 1,154.7 cases per 100,000 in this cohort.

According to PHE: “This is the highest case rate recorded, since mass testing began, in the pandemic for any age group”.

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Currently, 58.4% of 18 to 24-year-olds and 58.9% of 25 to 29-year-olds have had a first jab, while only 17.2% and 21.8% respectively have had two doses as of 18 July.

Among those aged 80 and over, there is a rate of just 60.6 infections per 100,000 people, while 93.3% had been double vaccinated.

Following the news, Dr Yvonne Doyle, the medical director of Public Health England, reiterated calls for young people to get their vaccines.

“We all still have a part to play, COVID-19 has not gone away,” she said.

“Case rates in people aged 20 to 29 are at the highest across any age group recorded since the pandemic began.

“Everyone in this age group should come forward and get their two doses of the vaccine to make sure they have the best chance of being protected.”

The seven-day case rate increased in all parts of England in the week to 18 July, with the North East highest at 951.7 per 100,000, and the South East lowest at 423.1 per 100,000.

The number of serious respiratory infections – indicating suspected COVID outbreaks – rose from 641 in the previous week to 721, while hospital admission rates rose from 4.55 per 100,000 people to 5.88 per 100,000 people.

The highest hospitalisation rate was recorded in the North East, where it is at 13.24 per 100,000 people.

Age-wise, hospitalisations are highest in those aged 85 and over.

Vaccines are said to have averted 52,600 hospitalisations directly, according to the report, and prevented between 35,200 and 38,600 deaths.

Between 11 million and 12.5 million infections are also thought to have been avoided thanks to the jabs.

Dr Doyle added: “It is vital we all remain cautious. Remember that meeting outside is safer than inside, get two two doses of the vaccine as soon as you can, isolate if you are told to by NHS Test and Trace and if you show symptoms stay home and get a PCR test.

“Thanks to the vaccine, hospital admissions and deaths are not growing as quickly as previous waves. However, they are on the rise and we continue to closely monitor the data.”

It comes after 607,486 people were pinged by the NHS COVID-19 app in the week to 14 July in England.

Roughly 428,000 more people were told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace contact traces.

While nearly seven in 10 adults have the protection of two jabs, currently all of those are required to self-isolate if told to by NHS Test and Trace.

This follows the easing of coronavirus restrictions on Monday.

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