Experts have warned of coronavirus "running rampant" among young people aged between 10 and 19 - where cases are surging the most in the UK, new data reveals.
According to figures released by the ZOE COVID Study App, a total of one in 30 are currently infected with Covid in this age group in Britain.
The number of daily new infections continues to increase rapidly in the under 19s and cases are rising in the 30 to 49 age group, but at a slower rate.
Cases remain low and stable in people over the age of 50 in the UK, the new research shows.
According to the ZOE prevalence data, it’s estimated 1 in 30 children aged between 10-19 currently have Covid.
The data also reveals that all regions in the UK are currently experiencing a rise in cases except for Scotland, where infections are falling.
It comes as the weekly number of coronavirus-related deaths registered in Scotland has dropped for the first time since early August.
The UK R value is estimated to be around 1.1 and regional R values are England 1.1, Wales 1.0 and Scotland 0.9, according to the research.
Professor Tim Spector, lead scientist on the ZOE COVID Study app, said: “While Covid may be less severe in children, allowing Covid to run rampant among them is a real gamble.
"With more than 1 in 30 older school-children now infected and as we predicted numbers rising, many will not escape long-term symptoms. These are the highest rates since January 2021.
"Without vaccination or restrictions in this group, we can only hope that some kind of herd immunity will kick in and cases will drop.
"The good news this week is our latest research shows having a natural Covid infection before double vaccination means greater protection.
"This is really positive news for overall immunity levels in the UK and means that large numbers of people will have effective and long lasting protection from Covid.
"The evidence supports the need for vaccination, even for those who have already had Covid.
"We need to be less complacent and without restrictions much more focus needs to be put on getting everyone vaccinated before winter to keep up with other countries' efforts.”
