Covid-19 case rates among the oldest age groups in England have fallen to their lowest level for nearly five months, figures show, as rates for these groups fall for the fifth week in a row.
For those in their 80s and over, a total of 51.8 new cases per 100,000 people were recorded in the week to November 28.
Some 66.8 cases per 100,000 people were recorded for 70 to 79-year-olds.
For both age groups they are the lowest rates of new cases since the week to July 11.
It is the fifth week in a row that rates for these groups have fallen.
The figures, from the Health Security Agency (HSA), may reflect the impact of booster doses of Covid-19 vaccine, which began to be rolled out to double-jabbed people in the oldest groups from the end of September.
Figures released by the government earlier this week said more than 18 million booster jabs have been given across the UK.
The government has already extended its booster jab programme to all eligible adults, who can expect to receive their booster by the end of January.
While cases are currently low in the UK, there are concerns about the new Omicron variant - whether it could be more transmissible or more resistant to vaccines.
Medical experts have advised caution and new restrictions were put in place as a result of the new strain.
Meanwhile, rates of infection have also fallen among all other age groups, including schoolchildren.
Some 873.8 cases per 100,000 people aged five to nine were recorded in the latest week, down from 949.8 a week earlier.
The figure for 10 to 19-year-olds has dropped from 830.4 to 758.3.
Covid rates for both these groups had risen in the previous two weeks, which coincided with the return of pupils to school following the half-term holiday.
Across England, rates have dropped in all regions except London.
In the capital, rates of infection have risen slightly, from 325.9 to 331.3.
The South East has the highest rate, at 517.7 cases per 100,000 people, while Yorkshire and Humber has the lowest, at 308.9.
.jpg?w=600)
