Covid-19 English frequency is falling at a slower rate, a study found

The incidence of Covid-19 infections in England has fallen since January, but the rate of decline has slowed and cases could escalate in some areas, researchers at Imperial College London said Thursday .

The researchers reported a national frequency of 0.49%, down two-thirds from the 1.57% recorded in January, but said that, compared to interim results for February, estimated frequency had gone up in London and the South East, as well as the East and West Mediterranean.

“The frequency … in England is falling although the rate of decline has slowed,” Steven Riley, Professor of Infectious Disease Dynamics, Imperial College London, told reporters, adding that frequency would have to be lower to provide the best transmission the chance of success.

“There are some areas where frequency could go up … we need to reduce the rate of disease.”

The study, called REACT-1, is one of the largest frequency studies in England. More than 165,400 volunteers in England were tested between February 4-23 to measure the incidence of infection in the general population.

The England national lockout is set to begin on Monday, when schools reopen. Britain has given the first dose of coronavirus vaccine to more than 20 million people.

Health Minister Matt Hancock said the evidence that things were falling overall was encouraging, but that it was important that people continued to follow the rules ahead of all stages of the “careful” roadmap but cannot be turned ”out of lockdown.

“There is concern that our hard progress could be slowing down, and even reversing in some areas so it is important that we remain vigilant,” he said.

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This story was published from a wire group group with no text changes.