ONS Coronavirus Infection Survey: latest report available

ONS Coronavirus Infection Survey: latest report available

The latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey has been published by ONS, which shows the characteristics of people testing positive for COVID-19 in England. Key findings:

• The latest surge in infections is largely being driven by younger, more affluent, white, adults; and (in recent weeks) is greatest amongst those who travelled abroad over the summer.

• Range of direct social contact with other adults appears to be the key driver – even where these contacts are rated by the respondent as ‘socially distant’.

• There is no confirmation of increased infection risk associated with contact with younger persons under 18.

• The findings confirm higher risk of infection in non-white populations in early August; but since then, for adults under 35, risk of infection and transmission has been higher in white populations.

• High risk for infection and transmission is amongst those aged under 35 and resident in the two most affluent deprivation quintiles.

• The highest risk of transmission in those aged under 35, is for those reporting ‘six or more socially distant’ direct contacts over 7 days with adults aged 18-69 years from outside their household (where each contacted individual is counted once).