Coronavirus: ‘Limited evidence’ rise in new cases levelling off in England, says report

Estimated 116,600 people infected with virus in week to 24 September, says ONS

There is “limited evidence” that the Covid-19 incidence rate in England may be levelling off following a steep rise in cases throughout August and September, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said.

According to the ONS, there were around 8,400 cases per day between 18 and 24 September - down from around 9,600 per day during the previous week.

"There is some limited evidence that the incidence rate may be levelling off following steep increases during August and September, however the wide credible intervals mean it is too early to say", the ONS said in its latest infection survey for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In total, an estimated 116,600 people within the community population were infected with the virus in the week to 24 September - equating to one in 500.

The ONS added that there has “been clear evidence” of an increase in the number of young people testing positive for Covid-19, with the current rates highest in teenagers and young adults.

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Smaller increases have been seen in those aged 35 years and above, although rates remain relatively low in these groups.

There is some limited evidence that rates may have levelled off in recent weeks in those of primary school age or below, as well as those aged 25 to 34 years.

In terms of regional differences, the ONS said infection rates were higher in the North West and North East, as well as Yorkshire and the Humber and London.

Over the last six weeks, the study has analysed almost 300,000 test swabs from randomly selected members of the public, whether they have symptoms or not.

As a household survey, figures do not include people staying in hospitals, care homes or other health-related settings.

The ONS’ latest findings follow data released by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), which showed that a total of 31,373 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the week ending 23 September.

This marked a 61 per cent increase in positive cases from the week before, with more than four times the number of infections recorded as there were at the end of August.

A further 87,587 people were identified as coming into close contact with someone who had tested positive over the same time period.

Some 71.6 per cent of these individuals were successfully reached through the country’s Test and Trace system. This is down from 76.3 per cent in the previous week, but above the 69.9 per cent for the week to 2 September, which is the lowest weekly figure recorded to date.

The latest data also showed that the median time to receive a result after taking an in-person test has decreased, falling from 30 to 25 hours.