'More than 100,000 in England have had coronavirus' in past week, Office for National Statistics reveal
More than 100,000 people have had Covid-19 from September 13 to 19 - up 60% on the previous week.
The figures, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), equate to around one in 500 people.
In the previous week there were 59,800 cases of coronavirus, the ONS infection survey shows.
The survey tests thousands of people in English homes whether they have symptoms or not.
In recent weeks, there has been clear evidence of an increase in the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in all age groups, with the current rates highest in the 17 to 24 age group.
There is evidence of higher infection rates in the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, London and North East; both West and East Midlands are recently showing a small increase.
The ONS said: "The estimate shows the number of infections has increased in recent weeks."
They added: "In recent weeks, there has been clear evidence of an increase in the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in all age groups, with the current rates highest in the 17-to-24 age group."
"There is evidence of higher infection rates in the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, London and North East."
It comes as Leeds prepares to be the latest city to impose restrictions on its residents from midnight, with a ban on people socialising in each other’s homes.
The ONS also estimated that during the week of September 13 to 19, 10,800 people in Wales had Covid-19, equating to one in 300 people.
An estimated 0.35% of people in Northern Ireland had Covid-19, which is around one in 300 people.
Katherine Kent, co-head of analysis for the Covid-19 Infection Survey, said there had been a "marked" increase in cases across England.
She added: "Every week we are sending out new letters to houses across the UK to ask them to take part in the Covid-19 Infection Survey to help us get more information about how the virus is spreading."
"If you receive a letter from us, please take the time to register and help control the spread of this virus."