A study conducted by Public Health England (PHE)
estimates that 17.8% of university students in England had COVID-19
antibodies.
The COVID-19 university seroprevalence
study was carried out among the student population in
England. It was conducted between 2 to 11 December 2020 at 5
universities across the country, which had reported COVID-19
outbreaks during the autumn term. The study found that, overall,
17.8% of 17 to 25 year old students had antibodies from prior
COVID-19 infection.
Despite a rise in laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases amongst
university-aged groups in England between September to November –
and a large number of reported COVID-19 outbreaks in university
halls of residence – PHE’s study suggests there was not
widespread transmission of the virus across the wider student
population. The study also shows that a substantial proportion of
students were still susceptible to COVID-19 infection in December
2020.
The proportion of university students with antibodies to COVID-19
was highest amongst younger students, most likely to represent
first-year undergraduates and particularly those living in
university halls of residence.
Students aged 17 to 19 years had 4.1 times greater odds of being
seropositive than 23 to 25 year olds. In halls of residence,
which had reported high case rates of COVID-19 infection during
the autumn term, an estimated 49% of students were found to have
antibodies, highlighting the extent of spread within these
specific settings when cases rates were high. Overall, those
living in halls of residence had 2.9 times greater odds of
testing seropositive than those living in other accommodation
types.
Lead investigator Gayatri Amirthalingam, a Consultant Medical
Epidemiologist at PHE,
said:
This study gives the first evidence of the extent of spread of
COVID-19 infection amongst university students in England
during the autumn term. Fewer than 1 in 5 students had evidence
of previous COVID-19 infection by December 2020, indicating
that the majority of students were still susceptible by the end
of the autumn term. However, almost half of students living in
halls of residence with high numbers of reported cases were
found to have COVID-19 antibodies.
The study shows that it remains as important as ever that
students continue to follow the rules of hands, face, space and
latest university guidance.
We are grateful to the universities and students that
participated in this study and to the university staff who
supported this important work.
The extent of COVID-19 antibody positivity in students living in
university halls of residence that experienced high rates of
COVID-19 highlights the need for early identification and
isolation of suspected cases, and the rapid implementation of
infection control measures to interrupt the spread of the virus.
Professor Viv Bennett, Chief Nurse and COVID-19 lead for Children
and Young People at PHE, said:
This study shows most students are likely to still be
susceptible to COVID-19 infection and even without developing
symptoms could pass the virus on to others.
This highlights the importance of regular rapid testing so
students can self-isolate quickly and prevent the spread of the
virus. Students can help protect each other and their wider
contacts by getting tested regularly.
