Covid cases in England rise by 10% in a week with 160,000 people now infected – but ONS says data shows the outbreak is ‘level’ and has barely changed since mid-March
- Office for National Statistics data showed an estimated 140,000 people had the virus in the previous week
- But statisticians said the rise was nothing to worry about and infections had barely changed since March
- It comes after a tranche of figures yesterday suggested Covid cases were still in retreat across England
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England’s coronavirus cases have risen by 10 per cent in a week, official figures revealed today, but experts said this was nothing to worry about because infections are still ‘level’ and have barely changed since mid-March.
The Office for National Statistics estimated 160,000 people were infected with the virus across the nation in the week ending April 3. For comparison, there were thought to be 140,000 cases in the previous seven-day spell.
Cases crept up slightly among 17 to 24-year-olds and 35 to 50-year-olds, and only fell in young children aged 2 to 11 years. But they remained lowest among the over-70s, who have been offered at least one dose of the vaccine.
This was at a similar level to the rest of March, where cases have remained around 160,000, and to those predicted in late September before the second wave spiralled out of control.
It comes after a tranche of figures yesterday suggested Covid cases were still in retreat across England, with the number of infections shrinking in all age groups and every region. Only Darlington saw a slight rise.
And the symptom-tracking app run by King’s College London experts estimated Covid cases had halved in a week across the country, with around 1,500 people falling ill every day.
Pubs and restaurants are set to reopen for outdoor service in England on Monday, with shops and hairdressers also again set to be allowed to welcome customers.
But the next shutdown easing is six weeks away, with foreign holidays not set to be permitted until May 17. The earliest date all restrictions could go under Boris’ plan – except masks and social distancing – is June 21.
