CORONAVIRUS cases are "rising fast" in school children in the city as overall rates in the country reach the highest ever recorded.

The director of public health at Brighton and Hove City Council has warned of a rapid rise in cases amongst youngsters attending secondary school.

It comes as the overall rates of Covid-19 in England reached the highest level to date, according to one study that has been collecting data since May 2020.

In the seven days up to October 29, Brighton and Hove had 1174 confirmed new cases of coronavirus - Down 5.3 per cent on the previous week.

It is equivalent to a weekly rate of 402.4 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the South East at 454.3 per 100,000.

Health boss Alistair Hill said: “Although the data shows a small decrease, our rate is similar to last week and remains high.

“Cases are highest in secondary school-age children but are rising fast in primary age. Therefore the Public Health team have the following advice for families with young children.

“All family members aged 11 and over should take LFD tests twice a week to help identify infections at an early stage and break the chain of transmission.

“Tell older family or friends and those that are vulnerable to get their booster jab as soon as they are eligible [182 days since second dose] to increase their protection against Covid as well as their flu vaccination.

“There’s simple changes we can make to our behaviours too.

“It may sometimes be too cold to meet outside but please open a window to let fresh air in.

"Encourage everyone in the family to wash their hands regularly and encourage little ones to do the same.

"While rates are high it’s a good idea to avoid holding large parties and sleepovers. Keep wearing a face covering wherever you need to be close to people not in your household.

"And as always, if you have any symptoms of Covid, however mild, please don’t go to school, stay at home and get a PCR test.

“Please consider all the people you come into contact with.

"Grandparents who look after your children, friends you meet, relatives you visit, the people next to you on the bus or in front of you in the queue at the supermarket, and those coming into your homes to visit or to work.

"Think of them and do what you can to protect them.”