Coronavirus: 6,000 new cases a day estimated in England during first week of September
For the week 4 to 10 September, virus infection rates were almost double the average for the previous week (3,200) - and the highest since May.
During that period 1 in 900 people in England had coronavirus, but were not in hospital - which is 0.11% of the population, according to the figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This suggests the number of COVID-19 infections has risen in recent weeks, the ONS claims.
There is also evidence of higher infection rates in London, the North West and among people aged between 2 and 11 and 17 and 34, the data suggests. It also shows infection rates in Wales to be "relatively stable".
The data, compiled by ONS and the University of Oxford, measures the number of people who tested positive outside of hospital - in private homes and care homes.
Ministers are currently considering the introduction of new national restrictions with COVID-19 hospital admissions "doubling every seven to eight days".
Cases have spiked dramatically in recent weeks. Yesterday there were 3,395 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 3,991 the day before.
The government is concerned more young people getting the virus will lead to an increase in infection among the elderly and vulnerable. This would put pressure on the NHS during the winter months - its busiest period of the year.
