LONDON (Reuters) – The incidence of COVID-19 infections in England has fallen since January, but the rate of decline has slowed and things could escalate in some areas, officials said. research at Imperial College London 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 even though the rate of decline has slowed,” Steven Riley, Professor of Infectious Disease Dynamics, Imperial College London, told reporters, saying frequency to be lower to provide the best transmission. equal success.
“There are some areas where frequency could go up … we need to reduce the incidence 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 apart was encouraging, but that it was important that people continued to follow the rules ahead of all stages of the roadmap but cannot be turned ”out of lockdown.
“There is concern that our hard progress may be slowing down, and even returning in some areas so it’s important to be vigilant,” he said.
Reciting with Alistair Smout; Edited by Kirsten Donovan