Findings from the REACT coronavirus monitoring programme, based on almost 95,000 swab tests taken between 8 February and 1 March, show that around 1 in 35 was infected during this period, or 2.88% of people.

This is the second highest the study has recorded since it began testing in May 2020, but represents a drop from previous findings when 1 in 23 had the virus in January, or 4.41%.

The Imperial College London team read the genetic codes of the virus from 1,195 positive samples, finding that all but one were the Omicron variant or an offshoot (sub-variant). The remaining was Delta.

There was wide variation in infection rates by age, with infection prevalence decreasing with age. Nearly three times as many were testing positive in the youngest age group (aged 5-11, 4.69%) compared with the oldest (aged 75+, 1.68%). However, infections were found to be falling in children and younger adults under the age of 54, while they were flat or possibly rising in those aged 55 and above.

There was also variation across the country, with higher rates in the South.

Professor Paul Elliott, director of the REACT programme from Imperial’s School of Public Health, said: “It’s encouraging that infections have been falling across England, but they are still very high and the possibility that they are rising in older adults may be cause for concern.

“The good news is that this is a highly vaccinated group, however a high number of infections will lead to more people becoming ill, so it’s important that people continue to follow public health guidance to avoid fuelling further spread of the virus.”

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “These data confirm that cases have declined substantially following the peak of the Omicron wave.

“However, the increasing presence of the BA.2 sub-lineage of Omicron and the recent slight increase in infections in those over 55 show that the pandemic is not over and that we can expect to see COVID circulating at high levels.

“Vaccination remains the best way to protect us all from severe disease and hospitalisation due to COVID-19 infection. We urge you to come forward for your primary or booster doses straight away if you have not already done so.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “It is reassuring to see that COVID-19 cases have continued to fall as we learn to live with the virus and regain our freedoms.

“We must continue to protect each other where necessary. Vaccines remain our best line of defence against the virus. If you haven’t already, please Get Boosted Now.”

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