Infection Rates Rising... But Medics Remain Optimistic

Covid infection rates are continuing to rise in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but have dropped in Scotland, latest estimates show

- Giles Sheldrick

.Office for National Statistics data released yesterday showed that in the week ending July 24, one in 65 people was thought to have had the virus in England.

In Northern Ireland the rate was around one in 65 while in Wales it was one in 160.

Meanwhile, in Scotland, the proportion testing positive dropped to around one in 110.

The ONS said although the infection rate went up in England there are “possible signs the rate of increase may have slowed”.

The climb comes after a fall in daily reported cases.

The rate in the week ending July 24 was up from one in 75 the week before. The percentage of people testing positive has increased for those aged two to 16, and those over 50.