One in every 53 ten- to 14-year-olds has tested positive for Covid-19 over the past seven days.

Figures released by Worcester City Council showed the significant rise, which comes as cases continue to spike across the city. 

We revealed yesterday that Worcester has seen the the biggest weekly rise in cases among Worcestershire's six districts.

As many as 486 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Worcester in the week up to October 23 according to Public Health England - a rise of 42.5 compared to the previous week.

A total of 46 schools have reported positive cases of coronavirus in staff or pupils, as of October 20, according to Worcestershire County Council.

Parents have now been urged to ensure their children take a rapid lateral flow test before returning to school in the coming week. 

A headteacher of one Worcester school has already called for Covid measures to be brought back after half term to stop disruption. 

Gareth Doodes, headteacher at King's School Worcester, has called for the return of mask-wearing, ventilation and a return to a form of class bubbles.

He has also suggested pupils are encouraged to take up vaccinations which are now available to 12- to 15-year-olds.

Mr Doodes, who recently tested positive for Covid, tweeted: "I know @WalkerWorcester [Worcester MP Robin Walker] and @educationgovuk [Department for Education] will be working on this.

"Masks and ventilation previously slowed the rate of spread in schools and will do so once again, protecting pupils, staff and their families.

"With current Covid rates pupils after half term will face even more disruption.

"This cannot happen - we can't jeopardise exam groups.

"In schools we need to bring back masks in inside spaces, strictly limit non-class assembly, and encourage vaccination.

"We urgently need to look at post half-term regulations in schools."

Dr Kathryn Cobain, director of public health for Worcestershire, said: "Our Local Outbreak Response Team (LORT), continue to work closely with schools and where required put in extra measures to support schools who are dealing with outbreaks.

"We are aware that some of our schools choose to operate a cohorting system, according to their outbreak management plans, that prevents mixing between groups.

"This is done to reduce the potential impact of an outbreak of Covid-19 across the school. All identified Covid-19 cases have been asked to self-isolate and are supported by remote education where this is deemed necessary.

"We work alongside schools to ensure good hygiene is practised, appropriate cleaning regimes are maintained and occupied spaces are kept well ventilated to help maximise attendance and minimise disruption."

Children aged between 12 and 15 are now able to book their first dose of the covid vaccine through the NHS website.

The rollout has been described as the 'biggest vaccination drive in health service history'.

Almost three million children between 12-15 are eligible for one dose of the Pfizer vaccine following the government’s acceptance of the UK Chief Medical Officers’ recommendation.

Jabs started in hundreds of schools across the country late last month. 

Fewer than one in ten 12 to 15-year-olds have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine in Worcester, figures show. 

Data from the UK's daily covid dashboard show 426 young teenagers had received a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by October 17 – around 8.8% of the age group. 

Of them, 0.1% had received both jabs. 

This is below the national average, which sits at 15% across England, compared to 47.4% across Scotland. 

However, the national rate varies between 44.3% in South Ribble, in the Northwest, and just 3.5% in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham.