More than eight in ten adults in most of UK likely to have antibodies
More than eight in ten adults in most parts of the UK are now likely to have Covid-19 antibodies, new figures suggest.
The estimates range from 85.4 per cent of adults in Northern Ireland to 86.6 per cent in England and 88.7 per cent in Wales.
In Scotland the estimate is slightly lower, at just under eight in ten adults, or 79.1 per cent.
The presence of coronavirus antibodies suggests someone has had the infection in the past or has been vaccinated.
It takes between two and three weeks after infection or vaccination for the body to make enough antibodies to fight the virus.
Antibodies then remain in the blood at low levels, although these levels can decline over time to the point that tests can no longer detect them.
The latest estimates are from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and are based on a sample of blood test results for the week beginning June 7.
The estimates are for people in private households and do not include settings such as hospitals and care homes.
In England, the latest estimate of 86.6 per cent adults is up from 76.4 per cent a month ago, while in Wales the estimate of 88.7 per cent is up from 76.7 per cent.
For Scotland the estimate is up month on month from 67.5 per cent to 79.1 per cent, and for Northern Ireland it is up from 74.2 per cent to 85.4 per cent.
The ONS said there is a clear pattern between vaccination and testing positive for Covid-19 antibodies but the detection of antibodies alone is not a precise measure of the protection given by vaccination.
Once infected or vaccinated, the length of time antibodies remain at detectable levels in the blood is not fully known.
It is also not yet known how having detectable antibodies, now or at some time in the past, affects the chance of getting Covid-19 again.
The estimated percentage of adults testing positive for antibodies has continued to increase across all regions of England.
In Scotland the highest proportion of adults to have tested postive for antibodies was for people aged 65 to 69 (97.3 per cent) followed by 70 to 74-yearolds (96.3 per cent).