Coronavirus levels in Scotland highest since estimates began

The coronavirus level of infection in Scotland is at its highest since estimates began last autumn, with around one in 75 people thought to have coronavirus (Covid-19) last week. The figure, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), has risen sharply from one in 140 in the previous week.

Infections rising

Schools in Scotland returned a fortnight ago and the reopening is believed to have contributed to a rise in cases in the country.

Latest #COVID19 estimates show infection rates are level in England in the week ending 27 August 2021.

Rates have decreased in Northern Ireland, increased in Scotland and the trend is uncertain in Wales in the week ending 28 August 2021 https://t.co/i0E73uJtiV pic.twitter.com/LlEYcQAixU

— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) September 3, 2021

The latest level of infection – a snapshot of how many people are likely to test positive for the virus – remains high across the rest of the UK. Around one in 70 people in private households in England had coronavirus in the week to 27 August, unchanged from the previous week and the equivalent of about 766,100 people.

At the peak of the second wave in early January, around one in 50 people in England were estimated to have coronavirus. In Wales, the figure for the week to 28 August was around one in 110. This is up from one in 120 in the previous week and the highest level since the week to 6 February.

Hospital admissions in England decreased in the week ending 29 August 2021.

The largest decrease in admissions was seen in the West Midlands and the largest increase was seen in the South West https://t.co/qAxI8skShq pic.twitter.com/v2hF7LHp8P

— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) September 3, 2021

In the north of Ireland, the latest estimate is one in 65, down from one in 40 in the previous week. Scotland’s level is the highest since estimates began for the nation in October last year.

Back to school

Experts have warned the government it is “highly likely” there will be large levels of coronavirus infection in schools by the end of September.

In a document released last week and dated 11 August, members of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, Operational sub-group (SPI-M-O), said it is likely there will be exponential increases of the virus in school-aged children after classes return, while noting that measures in place before the new term, such as bubbles and stricter rules on isolating, no longer apply.

#COVID19 infections continued to be higher in the week ending 27 August 2021 than in the corresponding week of the second wave (week ending 12 December 2020) https://t.co/AZKH6aJGvU pic.twitter.com/3OU3GjlskG

— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) September 3, 2021

Meanwhile, the ONS said when modelling the level of coronavirus infections among different age ranges in England, rates have increased for those aged 70 and over – although they remain lowest for this age group – and there are early signs of an increase for those aged 25 to 34. There were also early signs of a decrease for those from school year 12 to age 24, the ONS said.

The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus is estimated to have increased in South-West England and the West Midlands, it said.

London and the East Midlands saw a decrease, while the trend for all other regions is uncertain.