Young people ‘meet-ups’ clue to virus spread

Socially-distanced meet-ups among young people appear to be an increasingly importa nt f ac to r i n c o ntrac t i n g coronavirus, new analysis suggests.

The Office of National Statistics says COVID-19 test positivity rates have increased for people under 35 who had socially-distancedcontactwithat least six people aged between the age of 18 and 69 over the previous week.

There was, however, no evidence of increases in positive test results for older adults.

The ONS analysed the characteristics and behaviours of those who tested positive for COVID-19 between July 23 and September 10 in England.

It asked people how many p e o p l e out s id e th ei r ow n household they had sociallydistanced contact with during the previous seven days.

The ONS noted that int e r p re t at i o n s o f s o c i a l l y - distanced contact may vary between participants.

A spokesman said: “The findings suggest that reporting having had socially-distanced direct contact with a larger number of people appears to be an increasingly important factor in increasing positivity rates in the younger age groups".

On September 14, the rule of six was introduced, limiting the number of people who can gather to a maximum of six individuals. The ONS analysis also showed that infection rates have increased primarily in the least deprived areas of each region.

However, there were increases in the number of positive tests in the under-35 age group across the board. In older adults, increases in positivity rates have only occurred in the least deprived areas.

The ONS also noted that positivity rates have been higher among those who have recently travelled abroad.