A massive antibody study found that 3.4 million people in the UK, or 6% of the country’s population, were already infected with coronavirus by the end of July.
More than 100,000 people pricked their fingers at home between July 20 and 13 to test for antibodies, according to a government announcement.
“Large-scale antibody research is essential to help us understand how the virus has spread across the country and whether there are specific groups that are more vulnerable as we continue our work to spread the disease.” to drive the disease, “said Edward Argar, Minister of Health.
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The government announced the results of the study on Thursday, saying Imperial College London had published the findings.
“Using finger prick tests suitable for large-scale home tests has given us the clearest insight to date into the spread of the virus in the country and who has been at the greatest risk,” prof. Graham Cooke, NIHR research professor of infectious disease, Imperial College London, said in a university release.
COVID-19 antibodies were more common in London than anywhere else in the country, with the study showing a prevalence of 13% antibodies compared to the lowest rates in the South West of England at almost 3%. Also, antibodies were detected in almost all people (at 96%) who had a positive swab test.
COVID-19 antibodies were more common in London than anywhere else in the country. (iStock)
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Antibody rates were also highest among those working in nursing homes at 16% and health care at 11.7%. Black and Asian people had a higher prevalence of antibodies than White people, at 17% and 12%, respectively, compared to 5%.
The more inhabitants in a household, the higher the anti-antibody figures, with households of seven or more inhabitants having a 13% antibody percentage.
Younger people aged 18 to 24 also had the highest anti-antibody rates at 7.9%, and those aged 65 to 74 had the lowest, at 3.2%. And, those who had serious symptoms of COVID-19 showed a much higher antibody percentage than asymptomatic individuals, at 29% to 14%, respectively, according to the university’s release.
The government said it was unknown if antibodies provided immunity to the virus, and held that the study to date marked the world’s largest surveillance study for COVID-19 antibodies.
The study will be repeated in the fall, testing 200,000 people.
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