Covid-19 infections in the UK have hit a record high as case rates rocket in England and Wales. It is estimated that around 4.9 million people in private UK households have contracted the virus in the week ending March 26, an increase from 4.3 million in the previous week, according to the ONS.
In England, around on in 13 people were likely to test positive for Covid-19 last week (4.1 million people) which is up from one in 16 (3.5 million people) in the week to March 19. Meanwhile, Scotland has seen its first week-on-week infection rate drop, although the ONS described the trend as "uncertain".
In Wales, the estimate is up from 192,000 people (one in 16) last week to 212,000 people (one in 14) this week. It means both England and Wales are now recording their highest Covid-19 infection levels.
