Age group most likely to get Covid revealed as virus "runs rampant" among young

The UK currently has 66,033 new symptomatic cases of Covid with the virus being most prevalent among children between 10 and 19-years-old, a new study has shown.

According to figures released by the ZOE COVID Study App, the total number of cases this week is up 13.6 per cent from 58,126 last week.

Experts have warned of the risks of allowing for the virus to "run rampant" among groups of young people aged between 10 and 19, where cases are surging the most.

A total of one in 30 are currently infected with Covid in this age group.

Professor Tim Spector, lead scientist on the ZOE COVID Study app, commented on the latest data saying "we can only hope that some kind of herd immunity will kick in and cases will drop".

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A newly released study shows Covid infections are most prevalent among teenagers (Getty Images)

In the double vaccinated population, it is estimated there are currently 16,901 new daily symptomatic cases in the UK, a drop on the 14,352 cases last week.

That while England has the highest R rate in the UK at 1.1, followed by Wales at 1.0 and Scotland at 0.9.

On average 1 in 80 people in the UK currently have symptomatic Covid.

“While Covid may be less severe in children, allowing Covid to run rampant among them is a real gamble", Professor Spector said.

"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.

Overall cases of Covid passed the 8million mark on Wednesday as nearly 40,000 new daily cases were recorded (PA)

"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.”

It comes as the total amount of infections since Covid broke out in March last year passed 8million in the UK, with almost 40,000 news cases recorded on Wednesday.