COVID-19 infections in the UK have soared by almost a third in just a week, according to the latest official estimates.

Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that in the week ending 3 October the number of people testing positive for coronavirus stood at 1.7 million.

This is up 31% from 1.3 million in the previous week.

COVID-19 infections have increased in England, Wales and Northern Ireland but the trend is uncertain in Scotland, the ONS said.

It is the fourth consecutive rise in England, where the number of people testing positive for coronavirus was 1.5 million or around 1 in 35 people, up from 1.1 million or one in 65, in the previous week.

In Wales, the latest estimate for infections was 74,900, or around 1 in 40 people, up from 63,400, or one in 50, previously.

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