Majority say they stick to rules on isolation

The vast majority of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 say they are continuing to follow the rules for self-isolating, a new survey suggests.

Office of National Statistics figures show 84% of people surveyed said they had fully adhered to the self-isolation requirements for the entire 10-day period after testing positive for coronavirus.

Just 15% reported at least one activity during self-isolationthatbroketherules–such as leaving home or having visitorsforareasonnotpermitted under legislation.

Thefiguresarebasedonresponses collected from adults in England between April 12 and 16.

Theysuggestthatmostpeople are still following the requirements for self-isolating despite the sharp fall in Covid-19 infections and deaths in recent weeks, along with the ongoing roll-out of coronavirus vaccines.

However, self-isolating is continuing to have an impact on people's wellbeing.

More than a third (37%) of those who tested positive reported that self-isolation had a negative effect on their mental health – broadly unchanged on the 36% in a previous ONS survey between March 8 to 13.

TimGibbs,headoftheONS public services analysis team, said: "It is encouraging to see the majority of those who tested positive for coronavirus reported fully adhering to requirements designed to protect them and others from further spread of Covid-19.

"Self-isolation has put considerable strain on some people.

"Over a third reported a negative impact of their well-being and mental health and approximately a quarter reported a loss of income.”