Official figures reveal that three in 10 Britons with Covid symptoms don’t self-isolate as they await their results.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) — which surveyed 1,000 people in England earlier this month who had the virus — found 29 per cent did not stay at home when their symptoms started.
A quarter of the people who fell ill broke at most one isolation rule from when they first felt sick to their last negative test.
These figures indicate that attitudes toward the virus have been changing in recent years, with the ONS surveying citizens across the country.
For comparison, nearly nine out of ten people followed the rules during the summer.
People in England are told to self-isolate — which means not leaving home or having any visitors, apart from those providing essential care — if they have Covid or suspect they are infected.
Only after a test positive, does it become a requirement that you stay home?
Separate ONS data from last week showed that Britons were taking a looser approach to Covid curbs. A third of the under-30s have given up on wearing facemasks.
Between November 1st and 6, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), surveyed 976 people in England who had tested positive for coronavirus. The survey was conducted between the beginning and the end of the 10-day self-isolation period. Some 75 per cent of respondents said they fully followed isolation rules for the full isolation period — from symptom onset, or testing positive if they were asymptomatic, until 10 days later. This is the lowest figure since the ONS started regularly surveying individuals earlier in the year about their compliance with self isolation rules.
Data from the ONS shows just 71 per cent of people self-isolated from experiencing their first suspected Covid symptom to receiving a positive test. This figure is lower than the February data, where 86% reported being isolated.
People in England are told to self-isolate — which means not leaving home or have any visitors, apart from those providing essential care — if they have Covid or suspect they are infected. Once a test results are positive, staying at home becomes an obligation. Following a positive test, you will receive a message from the NHS Covid app encouraging self-isolation
But self-isolation should begin from the day Covid symptoms start — which include a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss of smell or taste — or the day a person tests positive, if they do not have symptoms.
The symptoms last at most for 10 days. However, if the person infected is still experiencing symptoms they should be told to remain at home until their condition improves.
The ONS quizzed 976 adults in England between November 1 and 6 who tested positive for the coronavirus and were at the end of their 10-day self-isolation period.
Some 75 per cent of respondents said they fully followed isolation rules for the entire isolation period — from symptom onset, or testing positive if they were asymptomatic, until 10 days later.
The quarter who did not fully comply said they carried out at least one non-essential activity — such as going to the shops or having visitors — when they were supposed to be isolating.
This figure is in good agreement with those reported between June-September, where up to 78% of respondents reported that they stayed at home.
However, it’s the lowest number recorded by it since its February survey of Britons. Up to 86% of those surveyed said they followed all the rules during isolation.
Just 71% said they felt isolated after experiencing the first Covid-related symptoms.
A staggering 86% reported that symptoms had resolved by February.
The self-isolation rate before testing positive was the lowest, compared with the rest of the period that the ONS asked Britons. This included isolating for 24 hours (98%) and 10 days (93%).
Only 18% of respondents said that they could isolate themselves from their family members.
A third of those who were positive for self-isolation said that it had harmed their mental and physical health.
This new data comes on the heels of separate ONS findings last week that revealed 29% of Britons under 30 had given up wearing masks.
Overall, 85% of adults reported that they wore a mask last Wednesday, which is down from 97 percent who did the same thing last year.
England was free from the covid restrictions in July, when compulsory mask wear was lifted. People are still allowed to wear them in care and healthcare settings.
In spaces that are difficult for social distancing, masks can still be recommended.
Masks are legal in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They can be used on all public transport, indoor venues and most outdoor events, except pubs, restaurants, and other places.