During the week from 13 to 19 December, laboratories diagnosed 2,727 new coronavirus infections via a PCR test, the health ministry said on Wednesday, up 5% from the week before.

The infection rate was 723.08 per 100,000 people who are unvaccinated and 288.42 per 100,000 people who have a completed their vaccination schedule. On average, the infection rate rose to 430 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, up from 408 the week before.

The number of infections rose by 16% among children aged 0 to 14, the ministry said, the highest jump, followed by the 45 to 59 age bracket (+13%).

Currently, vaccination is open only to children aged 12 or over, or for children aged 5 to 11 who are considered vulnerable or live with a person in an at-risk group. However, the government on Wednesday said it would open vaccination to all children over the age of 5 given the threat of the omicron variant and the rising number of infections.

The family circle remained the biggest known source of infection, accounting for 37.4% of infections, followed by the education sector. More than one in ten infections have been traced to primary schools, the health ministry said.

As of 19 December, 79.7% of the eligible population was fully vaccinated, although this does not include a booster shot, which offers better protection against infection and severe illness from the omicron variant.