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The latest ONS Infection Survey has increased from an estimated 35,200 new daily cases to 51,900. Last week, the ONS had said there was evidence of a levelling off in new infections.

These latest figures show 568,100 people had COVID-19 infections from October 17-23 – a steep jump from 433,300 the week before.

Overall, around one in 100 people throughout the country had coronavirus over the course of last week.

The data showed the highest infection rates are in the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber.

The lowest rates are in the South East, South West and East England.

There has been growth across all age groups over the past two weeks.

But the figures, which are based on 609,777 swab tests taken whether people have symptoms or not, don’s include those staying in hospitals, care homes or other institutional settings.

The Office for National Statistics said: “The most recent modelled estimate shows the number of infections in England continues to increase steeply.”

The research firm aims to estimate infection numbers in the community beyond those who have been tested.

This gives an estimate of prevalence that is unaffected by testing capacity.

Katherine Kent, co-head of analysis for the Covid-19 infection survey, said: “Following the expansion of ONS infection survey, we are now seeing evidence of increases in Covid-19 infections across the UK.

“In England, infections have continued to rise steeply, with increases in all regions apart from in the North East, where infections appear to have now levelled off.

“Wales and Northern Ireland have also all seen increased infections, though it is currently too early to see a certain trend in Scotland, where we have been testing for a shorter period.

“When looking at infections across different age groups, rates now seem to be steeply increasing among secondary school children whilst older teenagers and young adults continue to have the highest levels of infection.”

This is a breaking story. More to follow…

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