London: Corona virus infection appears to be increasing in older adults EnglandCases remain high despite a widespread decline since a peak in January, according to a government-commissioned study published on Thursday.
The REACT COVID-19 surveillance programme, which looked at around 95,000 home swab tests taken in February, showed that around 1 in 35 people in England had been infected with the virus during this period and that the infection occurred in people aged 55 and over. was growing.
Researchers said the increase could be driven by further socializing since all coronavirus restrictions were lifted in late February, as well as reduced protection from vaccine boosters.
Study director Paul Elliott said there was an increase in hospitalizations and infections, especially in the older group. “But we don’t know where this is going,” he said.
“We really need to closely monitor infection data through surveys, such as REACT, and we need to monitor hospitalizations,” Elliott said.
Jenny Harris, Head of UK Health Protection Agency, said the data shows that “the pandemic is not over and we can expect to see the spread of COVID at a high level”. Official data showed that over 346,000 people tested positive in the last 7 days, a 46% increase from the previous week.
The study estimated that about half of the positive cases were subclinical versions of the Omicron variant, which the researchers say is more transmitted.
The UK government lifted all mandatory COVID-19 restrictions in England on February 24 as infection rates and hospitalizations declined in December and January.
People who test positive are no longer legally required to isolate at home, and wearing masks in public places and tracing contacts of infected people has also been abolished.
The REACT COVID-19 surveillance programme, which looked at around 95,000 home swab tests taken in February, showed that around 1 in 35 people in England had been infected with the virus during this period and that the infection occurred in people aged 55 and over. was growing.
Researchers said the increase could be driven by further socializing since all coronavirus restrictions were lifted in late February, as well as reduced protection from vaccine boosters.
Study director Paul Elliott said there was an increase in hospitalizations and infections, especially in the older group. “But we don’t know where this is going,” he said.
“We really need to closely monitor infection data through surveys, such as REACT, and we need to monitor hospitalizations,” Elliott said.
Jenny Harris, Head of UK Health Protection Agency, said the data shows that “the pandemic is not over and we can expect to see the spread of COVID at a high level”. Official data showed that over 346,000 people tested positive in the last 7 days, a 46% increase from the previous week.
The study estimated that about half of the positive cases were subclinical versions of the Omicron variant, which the researchers say is more transmitted.
The UK government lifted all mandatory COVID-19 restrictions in England on February 24 as infection rates and hospitalizations declined in December and January.
People who test positive are no longer legally required to isolate at home, and wearing masks in public places and tracing contacts of infected people has also been abolished.