The number of positive coronavirus tests fell to its lowest level in four weeks in Monday, with 13,844 cases reported in the last 24 hours.

On average 17,376 cases have been reported per day in the last week, a drop of nearly 20% from a week ago.

The average positive test rate, which climbed to 24% at the weekend, was slightly lower on Monday at 23.7%.

There are currently 2,768 coronavirus patients in hospital, 14 fewer than on Sunday, including 650 who are being treated in intensive care, a decline of 12.

Despite the downward trend, virologists have warned that the Omicron variant is likely to trigger another upturn in infections in the next few weeks.

Health minister Hugo de Jonge has ordered the booster vaccine campaign to be accelerated after data from the UK showed that the variant already accounted for 40% of infections in London.

‘The wall of immunity that we have built up does not seem to offer enough protection against Omicron. But we see that the variant is susceptible to the extra jab.’

People born in 1957, 1958 and 1959 have been able to book an appointment for their third dose since Monday morning, provided they had their second jab at least six months ago.