Young adults were today advised to maintain social distancing after the biggest-ever study of coronavirus in England found they had the highest infection rates.
The research into the spread of the virus in the community, by Imperial College London, also found that children were more likely to be infected than adults aged 44 and older.
Almost 70 per cent of people who tested positive for Covid-19 had no symptoms on the day of the test or the preceding seven days, the study revealed. The nationwide study, which ran between May 1 and June 1, involved more than 120,000 children and adults being sent throat and nasal swab kits at home.
Adults aged 18-24 had the highest infection rates – probably because they were the least likely group to limit their social contacts.
The 25-34 age group was second highest, followed by children aged five to 17 – who were more likely to be infected than adults over 44. The researchers said this “[indicated) that children are similarly susceptible to being infected”. Other studies have shown children are far less likely to become ill or seriously ill.
Experts said the study showed the importance of younger adults remembering to observe social distancing rules, especially to protect any vulnerable members of their family.
Read Also: Coronavirus Could Infect People Through Common Cold -Research Reveals
A total of 159 positive tests were found from 120,610 swabs, giving an average prevalence of Covid of 0.13 per cent, or 13 infected people per 10,000. Symptoms strongly associated with a positive test were nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhoea, blocked nose, loss of smell, loss of taste, headache, chills and severe fatigue.
Recent contact with somebody known to have Covid increased the risk of contracting the virus by 24 times. The study, known as REACT-1, aimed to plug the “critical knowledge gap” in the lack of information about the spread and incidence of coronavirus outside of hospitals and care homes. The findings mean there were an estimated 74,000 infections in England in May.
Professor Paul Elliott, director of the programme at Imperial College London, said: “Through this surveillance programme with DHSC and Ipsos MORI we’re gathering the critical knowledge base necessary to underpin community testing and facilitate a greater understanding of the prevalence of Covid-19 in every corner of England.”
Photo Credit: Getty
