Children are beginning to spread coronavirus to their parents again, official figures suggest amid fears a fourth wave could be imminent.
Department of Health stats show England's infection rates have been rising for a fortnight, following the return of millions of pupils to classrooms at the start of the month. But infections were only increasing in youngsters, bolstering evidence that the reopening of schools was to blame.
Government data now show, however, rates have started trending upwards in 35-39 year olds, 40-44 year olds and 45-50 year olds, suggesting that children may have taken the virus home with them.
Experts had always warned of a fresh wave after the return of schools, where the majority are not vaccinated. In the worst-hit parts of the country, up to one in 24 children tested positive last week alone.
Scientists say the rise in adults might be the result of millions more Britons returning to offices this month, following the end of WFH guidance.
The above graph shows Covid infection rates in different age groups per 100,000 people. They are calculated as rates to allow comparisons between age groups. Data showed 10 to 14-year-olds (yellow) had the highest infection rate, followed by 15 to 19-year-olds (green) and 5 to 9-year-olds (red)
The above graph shows the week-on-week change in Covid infection rates by age group. It reveals that cases are spiralling fastest among 10 to 14-year-olds (yellow) and 15 to 19-year-olds (red). Cases have also risen by 13 per cent in a week among 40 to 44-year-olds (yellow), 45 to 49-year-olds (green) and 15 to 19-year-olds (dark green). There was a slight rise in cases week on week among 0 to 4-year-olds (black) and 5 to 9-year-olds (light red)
ENGLAND COVID CASES: The above graph shows Covid cases in England. These have begun to rise in recent days in a delayed back to school wave
ENGLAND COVID DEATHS: The above graph shows the number of fatalities involving the virus recorded in England. These have remained flat, but there is a lag between someone catching the virus and sadly dying from the disease
Department of Health data show the infection rate among 40 to 44-year-olds was 361.2 positive tests per 100,000 people in the week ending September 21, up 13 per cent from 318.1 in the previous seven-day spell.
For 45 to 49-year-olds, the rate stood at 300.9 per 100,000 in the latest week, also up 13 per cent from 264.4 the previous week. And for 35 to 39-year-olds, the infection rate was 276.2, up slightly from 267.6 previously.
But rates were still dropping, albeit at a slower pace, in every other age group except children.
For 10 to 14-year-olds it was as high as 1,261.7 per 100,000, meaning 1.2 per cent