Official Covid survey axed as cases reach another high

Scientists have criticised the government's decision to axe the Covid ONS survey, which provides official estimates of UK infections. It comes as Covid-19 cases in England have climbed to their highest level since the start of the year, as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published its final report on the infection yesterday.

- THOMAS KINGSLEY

An estimated 1.7 million people in private households in the UK are likely to have had coronavirus in the week to 13 March, compared with 1.5 million in the previous week. Oxford University virologist Professor Aris Katzourakis called the decision "incomprehensible" and warned that the UK could be "fighting blind" against Covid in the absence of regular updates.

"I think it's a real disservice to both the protection of public health and the advancement of science," Professor Katzourakis told The Independent. "I don't understand why it's been stopped.

We're absolutely going in blind without it. It's been a model for the world to emulate. The ONS survey has been so useful in knowing exactly what's happening, how concerned to be, and whether a policy response is required." He added that it was concerning that people had to rely on secondary analysis, such as that provided by the Covid ZOE app, to monitor the latest developments.

The latest data shows that in England, the estimated percentage of people testing positive for Covid increased in the North West, the East Midlands and the South East. The figure also increased among children aged between two years old and 15/16 (those in year 11 at school), and among people aged 50 and over; the trends were uncertain in the remaining age groups.