COVID-19 cases are rising in all regions of England, except London and Yorkshire and the Humber, according to the latest weekly report from Public Health England.

PHE’s coronavirus surveillance report revealed South West England has the highest rate of infections, with 481.7 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days up to 22 August – a sharp rise from the previous week’s 351.8 per 100,000.

Meanwhile, the capital – which had twice been the epicentre of England’s pandemic – has the lowest rate of infection, decreasing from 277.6 per 100,000 to 247.3 per 100,000.

COVID latest news live: UK cases up nearly a fifth in a week and rising in the vaccinated

The East Midlands has the second-highest rate of the virus, at 360.9, up from 351.5 per 100,000.

Case rates in England are continuing to rise in most age groups – with the exception of children aged four and under, and adults aged between 20 and 39.

The highest rate was among 10 to 19-year-olds, with 616.5 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to August 22 – a rise from the previous week’s 472.5.

The second highest rate is among 20 to 29-year-olds, down from 622.2 to 541.2 per 100,000.

The lowest rate was among people aged 80 and over, at 95.2, up slightly from 90.1 per 100,000.

Hospital admission rates for the virus were highest in the West Midlands – at a rate of 11.46 per 100,000. The age group most likely to be admitted to hospital continues to be those aged 85 and above.

Alicia Demirjian, incident director for COVID-19 at Public Health England, said: “Cases of COVID-19 are still high, especially among young people.

“If you are heading to a festival or other event this bank holiday weekend, to protect your friends and others we encourage you to take a free rapid test before you leave to check that you do not have the virus.

“People who have COVID-19 may transmit it to others, even if they do not feel unwell, and should stay at home. Please remember to wear a mask in enclosed spaces, such as on a train or bus when travelling. When at the festival, try and stay outside or in well-ventilated areas and spread out from other groups.”

Meanwhile, the Covid-19 vaccine programme in England is estimated to have directly averted between 102,500 and 109,500 deaths, according to figures from PHE.

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September is expected to be a key month for COVID, with the biggest unknown being how much cases will rise once schools return.

Ms Demirjian said students should be tested twice-weekly: “We will closely be monitoring how the start of term impacts the number of new infections and review recommendations accordingly.”

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