According to official data, two thirds of the Covid cases last month in England may have been reinfections.
One of the country’s largest surveillance studies — which randomly tested 100,000 people in the fortnight ending January 20 — found 4.4 per cent had the virus.
Experts from Imperial College London carried out the project and said it was the highest recorded rate. This mirrors other sweeping surveys.
They also stated that the Covid epidemic in England was beginning to slow down. After the Omicron wave, it ‘rapidly dropped off’ on its own.
Analyse of data revealed 6,6% of the 3,582 positive samples in the study were taken from individuals who have had coronavirus. 2,315 (of the 3,582) were negative tests.
A further 267 (7.5%) suspect they caught Covid in the past, even though there was no test to confirm their suspicions.
Graph: 2.315% of the 358 positive test results in our sample (64.6%) came from people who claimed they have had Covid before. Another 267 (7.5%) suspected that they had been infected previously, although the case wasn’t confirmed by a test.
Based on over 100,000 test results, government-backed REACT-1 data found that more than 4.4% of the population had contracted the virus between January 5 and 20. After a rapid drop in infection rates throughout January, the prevalence of the virus was at its highest level ever.
Even though cases were high last month, they have fallen in every age group, except those under 17 years.
The highest was recorded among five- and eleven-year-olds (7.81%), while it was lowest for 75-year-olds (2.43%)
Covid was more prevalent regionally in the North East where 6.85 percent of the residents were infected during the month.
Only 2.93 percent of South East residents tested positive for the disease during the month
Paul Elliott (director of REACT) stated that the REACT program is seeing the same people who have caught Covid before and are now catching it again.
REACT-1 data shows that the virus infected one in 23 British citizens over the period of two weeks.
Even though cases were at an all-time high last month, they have fallen in every age group except those under 18.
The highest was recorded among five- and eleven-year-olds (7.81%), while it was lowest for 75-year-olds (2.43%)
Professor Elliott said: “There’s good news in our data that infection rates have been dropping rapidly during January.”
“But they are still extremely prevalent and may be stalled recently at a high prevalence.
“Of special concern is that children are now mixing more after school terms start.
“And, in comparison with December, the prevalence among older adults aged 65 or over has increased 7- to 12fold. This may result in increased hospitalisations.
“It is therefore crucial that we continue monitoring the situation closely in order to understand the impact on the Omicron variant which now constitutes almost all of the infections in the country.
Covid was more prevalent regionally in the North East where 6.85% of people had it during the month.
Comparatively, only 2.93% of South East citizens tested positive over the course of the month.
Sajid Javid (Health and Social Care Secretary) said that it was reassuring for Covid infection rates to begin to decline across the country. This is as we return to Plan A.
‘Covid rates are still high so as we learn to live with the virus it is vital we continue to be vigilant — wash your hands, let in fresh air, get tested and, if you haven’t already, get boosted now.’