UK Covid cases rising sparking fears of winter wave - but experts say infections may have already peaked

Covid cases are rising in the UK, new figures reveal, sparking fears of a winter wave of the virus - but experts say infections may already have peaked. A weekly infection survey by the Office for National Statistics estimated more than 2 million people had the virus in the week ending October 10 - around one in 30 people - a rise of 15.4 per cent on the week before.

Although there is a slight lag in the data due to the reporting process, the survey showed rates rising in people aged between 50 and 69, but falling in children and other adults. However, the rate of the increase appears to be slowing in parts of the country, indicating infections may have peaked. In the South West, North East, and London, rates levelled off in the week of October 10, while they fell in the East Midlands, North West and east of England.