Coronavirus (COVID-19) roundup: 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:

• 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

• 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

• 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 

• 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

• 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

Read the ONS roundup