The infection rate among the younger generation in Bolton has continued to rise, according to Public Health England (PHE).

The difference in the number of positive coronavirus cases being recorded in younger age groups, especially those of a school age, and older age groups is widening in the borough.

At the start of the pandemic, between April and May in 2020, the large majority of coronavirus cases were happening in age groups of 80-plus, with younger groups less affected.

However, according to PHE data, the opposite is now happening.

In the seven days to May 19, there were no cases of Covid-19 in the 85 to 89 and 90-plus age groups, with the age groups from 70 to 84 recording very low rates of coronavirus cases if taken over 100,000 people.

There is a very different picture when looking at the data for the youngest age groups in Bolton however.

The age group of between five and nine recorded a rolling infection rate of 886.6 new positive Covid-19 cases if spread across 100,000 people in the seven days to May 19.

The age group of 15 to 19 recorded a similarly high rate of 886.2 per 100,000 in these days.

It was the age group of 10 to 14 that recorded a rate far above any other group with a rolling rate of 1,171.1 cases per 100,000.

The data would seem to suggest that schools are an area where coronavirus is spreading, with regular testing done at schools across the borough to find these cases.

However, the council believe is "through the community rather than through school".

This has sometimes led to schools closing certain year group bubbles when there are cases, switching particular years to remote learning to slow the spread of Covid-19.

This recently happened at Little Lever School where the Year 10 and 11 bubble was sent home last week. The school is in the BL3 area where the Indian variant of Covid-19 is prevalent.

A statement on its website said: “New strains of the virus are present particularly in the BL3 area. As a result of rising cases in Year 11, we have made the difficult decision to close the Year 11 bubble. Lessons will switch to live lessons on Google Meet.

“The Year 10 bubble will close. We are closely reviewing the situation and we will inform parents/carers of a return day as soon as possible. Students must attend their live remote lessons following their normal timetable whilst not in the building.”

Schools in Bolton were recommended to stick with existing guidance surrounding the wearing of masks when restrictions were eased on May 17.

Cllr Anne Galloway, Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: "Secondary schools in Bolton are doing all they can to help contain covid infection rates by ensuring the roll out of testing their pupils for the virus. 

"Inevitably this testing has detected a comparatively high rate in children but it is believed transmission is through the community rather than through school.

"The setting up of class bubbles, using track and tracing and the wearing of masks have all helped in keeping the numbers of secondary pupils sent home to isolate as low as it is safe to be. 

"Our teachers and staff in both primary and secondary schools here in Bolton have really been on the front line for most of the past year in keeping our children as safe as possible at school and we owe them many thanks."