Coronavirus (COVID-19) roundup: 15 June 2020
15 June 2020
ONS have published results from a survey of the shielding population in England, as well as analysis of the factors most strongly associated with high anxiety during lockdown.
Some of the main points include:
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As of 14 May 2020, an estimated 2.2 million people in England had been identified as being clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 and advised to shield until at least the end of June 2020
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More than one-third (35%) of clinically extremely vulnerable people report a worsening of their mental health since receiving shielding guidance, equivalent to 785,000 people
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Among those aged under 50 years and between 50 and 59 years, almost half report worsening mental health (46% and 45% respectively); this compares with 26% and 23% of those aged between 70 and 74 years and over 75 years respectively
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People who are married or in a civil partnership were more likely to report high anxiety than those in other marital status groups during the first weeks of lockdown
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Age has also had a significant impact on anxiety ratings; those aged 75 years and over were almost twice as likely as those aged 16 to 24 years to report high anxiety during lockdown