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The number of new COVID-19 cases in England more than doubled in a week at the end of September, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics.
There were an average of 17,200 new cases per day in private homes between September 25 and October 1, compared to 8,400 new cases per day the previous week of September 18-24.
The ONS said there has been a “marked increase” in the rate of new infections over the past six weeks, now at its highest level since the survey began in May.
The figures do not include people staying in other settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
The ONS said the current highest rates of infection have been among adolescents and young adults, the second highest among high school children.
And there are clear differences between the regions, with the Northeast, Northwest and Yorkshire & Humber being the hardest hit and all have seen strong increases in recent weeks.
Other regions, except the south-east of England (outside London), have seen a smaller increase in infection rates, the ONS said.
