Latest findings from Covid-19 study published
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Over 167,600 volunteers tested in England between 6 and 22 of
January 2021 as part of one of the most significant COVID-19
studies Final findings from Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI
show infections remained very high throughout this period with 1 in
64 people infected Everyone must continue to stay at home, not have
contact with others unless absolutely necessary and follow the
rules to protect the NHS and save lives The final findings from the
eighth...Request free trial
The final findings from the eighth report of REACT, one of the country’s largest studies into COVID-19 infections in England, have been published today by Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI. The latest REACT study provides a snapshot of the levels of infection in the general population between 6 and 22 January. The findings show infections in England have flattened but are at the highest level recorded by a REACT study, with the indication of a decline at the end of the reporting period. The NHS is under significant pressure in England with over 37,000 people in hospital with the virus, twice as many as the first peak in April. 4,076 people are on ventilators, more than at any time in the pandemic. Everyone must play their part by staying at home to help reduce infections, protect the NHS and save lives. Levels of infections varied across the regions and was highest in London, with 1 in 35 people infected, and highest nationally among those aged 18-24. The main findings from the eighth REACT study for the period 6 and 22 January show:
While the levels of infections are lower in Yorkshire and The Humber and the South West compared to other regions, they are still high. Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “These findings are a stark reminder of the need to remain vigilant. “Infection rates this high will continue to put a strain on our NHS and add to the significant pressures dedicated health and care staff are already facing. “We must bring infections right down so I urge everyone to play their part to help save lives. You must stay at home unless absolutely necessary, follow social distancing rules and minimise contact with others.” Professor Paul Elliott, director of the programme at Imperial, said: “The number of people infected with the virus is at the highest level that we’ve recorded since we began testing last May. We’re not seeing the sharp drop in infections that happened under the first lockdown and if infections aren’t brought down significantly, hospitals won’t be able to cope with the number of people that need critical care. We all need to stay at home wherever possible and help bring the virus under control and protect our already over-stretched health system.” While the vaccine programme continues to expand to protect as many people as possible, with over 6.8 million people vaccinated, we do not know whether being vaccinated stops someone from passing the virus on to others. It will also be some time before the impact of the vaccination programme reduces pressures on hospitals. It is critical everyone continues to follow the rules, stays at home, reduces contact with others and maintains social distancing - remembering hands, face, space. Kelly Beaver, Managing Director- Public Affairs at Ipsos MORI said: “In the latest REACT snapshot across Round 8 we continue to see very high levels of COVID-19 at a national level, which continues to be worrying. While we do see the suggestion of a downturn in the last few days of the study, which is encouraging, this is only tentative. REACT continues to provide a powerful look across England at prevalence and spread of the pandemic and I thank all of the over 160,000 people who have taken part in this round for helping us provide this insight to Government.” This report is the latest from the REACT study which was commissioned by DHSC and carried out by a world-class team of scientists, clinicians and researchers at Imperial College London, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Ipsos MORI. Notes to editors
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