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The number of people testing positive for coronavirus has risen across much of the UK, according to the latest official figures.
England, Wales and Scotland saw an increase in the percentage of the population with the virus in the week of December 6-12. The numbers in Northern Ireland no longer appear to be decreasing.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that one in 95 people in England tested positive, an estimated 567,300.
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This is an increase of 481,500 people, or one in 115, in the previous week.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics do not include people in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutional settings.
The ONS said that positivity rates had “increased dramatically” in London, with an increase also seen in the East Midlands, the east and the south-east of England.
The data also showed that rates had increased in all age groups except young adults (12-24 year old school year) and 50-69 year olds.
ANALYSIS: With Rates Such High, Hospital Admissions Will Increase In The New Year
By Thomas Moore, Science Correspondent
We are experiencing a staggering increase in COVID infections.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the virus began to spread rapidly as the lockdown was eased in almost all regions.
But just south of the Bristol-Norwich line roughly, cases have skyrocketed.
London and the East Midlands saw infection rates rise by 40% in just one week after restrictions were relaxed in early December.
The south-east and east of England posted minor increases.
The number of young people who tested positive has remained similar to last week
The North West and Yorkshire, which were the hotspots before the closure, have continued their downward trajectory.
In terms of age groups, infection rates continue to be highest in secondary school students, although the increase may be decreasing.
These data are from December 6 to 12. Daily figures from Public Health England suggest that the situation has worsened further in the last week, although they do not include asymptomatic cases, as the ONS data do.
It is the people who carry the virus, but show no symptoms, who are the real danger of the Christmas gathering.
Many people will see elderly relatives, and with infection rates so high, hospital admissions are sure to increase in the new year.
