Scotlands Covid cases TRIPLED in a fortnight after return of schoolchildren official data reveals

Scotland’s Covid cases tripled in a fortnight after schools returned from the summer holidays, official figures suggested today â€" as the outbreak in England plateaued days before classrooms opened.

The Office for National Statistics weekly report estimated 117,300 Scots, or one in 45 people, were infected with the virus on any given day in the week to September 3.

This was more than 200 per cent above infections two weeks ago when 36,700 Scots had the virus, or one in 140, and marked the first time the country’s weekly figures have surged into six-figures since the pandemic began.

In England, however, infections remained level after the ONS estimated there were 754,600 people infected with the virus, or one in 70, barely a change from the previous week.

Both Northern Ireland and Wales â€" where schools return at the same time as England â€" saw a rise in infections by 10 per cent and 66 per cent in a week respectively. Northern Ireland was estimated to have the highest Covid infection rate in the UK, with one in 40 people having the virus.

The mounting infection rates north of the border come as Professor Chris Whitty and the chief medical officers from the devolved nations prepare to clear the way for vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds.

 England’s chief medical officer, who was asked by No10 to make the final decision on jabbing youngsters, is next week expected to sign off on expanding the roll-out to include all over-12s, it was claimed today. It could see secondary school children given jabs from the week commencing September 20.

 

The percentage of people testing positive for Covid-19 is estimated to have increased in north-east England, remained level in London and south-east England but decreased in north-west England, the ONS said.

The trend for all other regions is uncertain.

North-east England had the highest proportion of people of any region likely to test positive for coronavirus in the week to September 3: around one in 45.

Eastern England had the lowest estimate: around one in 90.

When modelling the level of Covid-19 infections among different age ranges in England, the ONS said rates have increased for those aged from two to school Year 11, and for those aged 35 to 49.

The percentage testing positive decreased for those aged 25 to 34 and 50 to 69, while the trend is uncertain for all other age groups.

Around one in 35 people from school Years 7 to 11 and from school Year 12 to age 24 are estimated to have had Covid-19 in the week to September 3 â€" the highest positivity rate for any age group.

Source: dailymail

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