Coronavirus infections in the UK have dropped below a million for the first time since the start of June, which is the lowest level for almost 11 months.

In the week to August 28, a total of 944,700 people in private households were estimated to have had Covid-19, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). 

It is also the lowest UK-wide total since the week to October 2, 2021, when the number stood at 942,600 – though not all parts of the country are showing a clear downward trend. 

During the spread of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants, infections hit 3.8 million in early July this year, though they have been on a broadly downward path in recent weeks. 

Infections are continuing to fall at a national level in England and Wales, though the trend is uncertain in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the ONS said. 

The same data revealed that in England, the percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus in the week to August 28 was 770,800, or around one in 70 – down from 893,300, or one in 60 in the seven days to August 23. 

Wales has seen infections fall to 31,500 people, or one in 95, down from 47,300, or one in 65.

In Scotland, 104,400 people were likely to have tested positive for Covid-19 in the latest week, the equivalent of about one in 50, in comparison to 96,000 or one in 55, in the previous survey.

And in Northern Ireland, the latest estimate is 38,000, or one in 50 people, compared with 35,800, which was also one in 50.

Infections are estimated to have fallen in all regions of England except eastern England, the East Midlands and the South East, where the trend is described by the ONS as ‘uncertain’.

All age groups in England are likely to have seen a fall in the prevalence of the virus except people from school Year 12 to age 24, and those aged 70 and over, where the trend is again uncertain. 

As of today millions of people are now able to book a fourth coronavirus jab, with the latest booster roll out extending to over-65s.

Carers and pregnant people can now call 111 to book their latest vaccination, or do it online.

The booster has been available to people aged 75 and over, the severely immunosuppressed and frontline health and care workers since last week.

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