A massive survey of more than 100,000 people, which the government says is the largest of its kind in the world, suggested that the extent of the outbreak varied widely between different areas and population groups.
In London, 13% of people had antibodies, while in the southwest of England it was less than 3%, according to research, published by the Department of Health and Imperial College London. Blacks, Asians, and other ethnic minority groups, healthcare workers, and people living in larger households are among the most prone to infection.
The investigation involved 100,000 people who were tested at home for coronavirus antibodies between June 20 and July 13. The government said there is no firm evidence that the antibodies provide immunity.
But the findings are important because they are likely to influence the decisions officials will make about what kind of lockdown restrictions are needed in the future and which groups are most at risk. Boris Johnson’s government has come under fire for its handling of the pandemic, which left the UK with the highest death toll in Europe and facing the deepest recession of any comparable country.
Heavy Burden
There was no progress in the search for a home antibody test for general use among the public. Separate studies, which were also released Thursday, evaluated a variety of home finger-stick antibody tests, but found the results were not reliable enough to receive government approval for widespread use, said the authorities. The tests were still considered suitable for surveillance studies such as the Imperial investigation.
The burden of Covid-19 “has particularly fallen on ethnic minority groups and key workers, particularly in nursing homes and healthcare,” said Professor Helen Ward, one of the researchers involved. Those living in the populated areas are more likely to have been exposed in the coronavirus, and we must do much more to protect people from future waves of infection This surveillance study will be repeated in the fall and will screen another 200,000 people for antibodies. The government urged more people to sign up.
