‘Worrying infection uptick’ could lead to more deaths

THE prevalence of coronavirus across England increased by 50% between early December and the second week of January, according to a new study.

The findings of a study which saw more than 142,900 volunteers tested in England between January 6 and 15 showed one in 63 people were infected.

The report, which researchers said does not yet reflect the impact of the national lockdown, also showed there were “worrying suggestions of a recent uptick in infections”.

National prevalence of the virus increased by half, from 0.91% in early December to 1.58%, the latest React study from Imperial College London and Ipsos Mori showed.

While there was a rise in prevalence across all adult age groups, it was highest in 18 to 24 year olds, and more than doubled in the over 65s age group.

London saw the highest regional prevalence, jumping from 1.21% to 2.8%, while there were also rises in the south east, east of England, West Midlands, south west and north west.

The only region to see a decrease was Yorkshire and the Humber, and prevalence remained stable in the East Midlands and north east, but researchers warned infection numbers are still high even in these areas.

Professor Paul Elliott, director of the programme at Imperial, warned that if prevalence continues to be so high “more and more lives will be lost”.

He said: “Our data are showing worrying suggestions of a recent uptick in infections which we will continue to monitor closely.

“To prevent our already stretched health system from becoming overwhelmed, infections must be brought down; if prevalence continues at the high rate we are seeing then hospitals will continue to be put under immense pressure, and more and more lives will be lost.