During the last month there has been a surge in positive coronavirus tests, which have been accelerated by the Omicron variant.
Omicron is now the dominant strain in the UK and is more transmissible than previous mutations of the virus, although symptoms appear to be milder.
According to ZOE COVID Study incidence figures, cases are rising in all regions in the UK except London - and there's one age group which has seen a sharp rise in infections.
Omicron cases are still rising in all age groups above 35 and in particular including in the over 75s, according to the latest ZOE data.
Researchers say this spike is 'worrying' as this age group is most at risk of hospitalisation.
Meanwhile, Covid cases appear to be going down in 18 to 35-year-olds.
It comes as Scotland recorded its highest ever daily increase in Covid cases on Monday after health officials reported an additional 20,217 infections over a 24-hour period.
Dr Claire Steves, scientist on the ZOE COVID Study app and Reader at King’s College London comments on the latest data: "It’s good news that the number of daily new cases has slowed for now.
"ZOE COVID Study data shows that this slow down is being driven by cases falling in London and in younger age groups.
"However, it’s worrying to see cases increasing in the over 75 age group. This is the group we need to protect as they are the most likely to be hospitalised as a result of a COVID infection.
"It’s too early to know if cases have truly peaked in London, as schools are yet to reopen after the holidays. We've seen school terms driving infection waves throughout the pandemic.
"The health and care systems are already under huge pressure, so we all need to take personal responsibility for limiting the spread of COVID. This could be in the form of regular testing, wearing masks, staying away from busy crowded places, meeting up outside and getting booster vaccines.”
The ZOE COVID Study incidence figures (new symptomatic cases) are based on reports from around 840,000 weekly contributors and the proportion of newly symptomatic users who have received positive swab tests.
The latest survey figures were based on data from 68,651 recent swab tests done in the two weeks up to January 3 2022.
It comes as the number of new daily cases of coronavirus in Scotland has taken a sharp incline in recent weeks, with new infections reaching daily highs during the early part of 2022.
Daily figures have also remained in the tens of thousands following the Christmas period.
A recent study from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that one in 20 people had Covid in Scotland in the week ending December 31, 2021.
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