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Every week, estimates of positivity rates and incidence are published in Office for National Statistics bulletins - summarised below.

Information on the data collection method change from study worker home visit to remote data collection

Methods

Representativeness

Weekly swab positivity updates - 2020

Weekly swab positivity updates - Jan-Jun 2021

Weekly swab positivity updates - Jul-Dec 2021

Weekly swab positivity updates - Jan-Jul 2022

Weekly swab positivity updates - Aug-Dec 2022

 

23 March 2023 - weekly update

The following points are for the week ending 13 March 2023 for England, Wales and Scotland, and the week ending 7 March 2023 for Northern Ireland.

  • The estimated percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) increased in England, and the trends were uncertain in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
  • In England, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 1,493,200 (95% credible interval: 1,347,000 to 1,651,100), equating to 2.66% of the population, or around 1 in 40 people.
  • In Wales, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 74,500 (95% credible interval: 48,200 to 108,100), equating to 2.41% of the population, or around 1 in 40 people.
  • In Northern Ireland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 26,000 (95% credible interval: 15,300 to 39,900), equating to 1.42% of the population, or around 1 in 70 people.
  • In Scotland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 136,200 (95% credible interval: 91,000 to 190,400), equating to 2.59% of the population, or around 1 in 40 people.
  • In England, the estimated percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased in the North West, the East Midlands and the South East, and the trends were uncertain in all other regions.
  • In England, the estimated percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased for those aged two years to school Year 11, and those aged 50 and over; the trends were uncertain for the remaining age groups.

There are higher levels of uncertainty in these latest estimates because of lower numbers of samples received.

16 March 2023 - weekly update

The following points are for the week ending 7 March 2023 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the week ending 6 March 2023 for Scotland.

  • The estimated percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) decreased in Scotland, and the trends were uncertain in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  • In England, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 1,322,000 (95% credible interval: 1,241,500 to 1,410,100), equating to 2.36% of the population, or around 1 in 40 people.

  • In Wales, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 68,200 (95% credible interval: 52,300 to 85,500), equating to 2.21% of the population, or around 1 in 45 people.

  • In Northern Ireland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 26,600 (95% credible interval: 15,600 to 40,700), equating to 1.45% of the population, or around 1 in 70 people.

  • In Scotland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 105,100 (95% credible interval: 82,600 to 130,600), equating to 2.00% of the population, or around 1 in 50 people.

  • In England, the estimated percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased in the North West and Yorkshire and The Humber, decreased in the East of England, East Midlands and London, and the trends were uncertain in the North East, West Midlands, South East and South West.

  • In England, the estimated percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 continued to increase for those aged 70 years and over, decreased for those in school Year 12 to aged 24 years and those aged 35 to 49 years, and the trends were uncertain for the remaining age groups.

10 March 2023 - weekly update

The following points are for the week ending 28 February 2023.

  • The estimated percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) increased in Scotland; the trends were uncertain in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

  • In England, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 1,333,400 (95% credible interval: 1,270,700 to 1,396,600), equating to 2.38% of the population, or around 1 in 40 people.

  • In Wales, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 66,200 (95% credible interval: 54,100 to 79,100), equating to 2.14% of the population, or around 1 in 45 people.

  • In Northern Ireland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 24,700 (95% credible interval: 17,100 to 33,700), equating to 1.35% of the population, or around 1 in 75 people.

  • In Scotland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 128,400 (95% credible interval: 109,000 to 149,000), equating to 2.44% of the population (2.22% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 40 people. 

3 March 2023 - weekly update 

The following points are for the week ending 21 February 2023.

  • The estimated percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) continued to increase in England and Wales, decreased in Northern Ireland, and the trend was uncertain in Scotland.

  • In England, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 1,298,600 (95% credible interval: 1,236,900 to 1,361,200), equating to 2.31% of the population (2.18% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 45 people.

  • In Wales, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 68,100 (95% credible interval: 55,900 to 82,500), equating to 2.21% of the population (1.79% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 45 people.

  • In Northern Ireland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 20,800 (95% credible interval: 14,600 to 28,400), equating to 1.14% of the population (1.62% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 90 people.

  • In Scotland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 117,100 (95% credible interval: 98,200 to 137,800), equating to 2.22% of the population, or around 1 in 45 people.

  • In England, the estimated percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased in the North East, North West, East Midlands, East of England, and London, decreased in Yorkshire and The Humber, and the trends were uncertain in the West Midlands, South East, and South West.

  • In England, the estimated percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased in those aged 25 to 49 years and those aged 70 years and over, decreased in those aged 2 years to school Year 11, and the trends were uncertain for those in school Year 12 to aged 24 years and aged 50 to 69 years.

23 February 2023 - weekly update

The following points are for the week ending 14 February 2023.

  • In England, the estimated percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) continued to increase; the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 1,223,000 (95% credible interval: 1,163,400 to 1,285,800), equating to 2.18% of the population (1.88% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 45 people.

  • In Wales, the estimated percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 continued to increase; the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 55,300 (95% credible interval: 43,900 to 67,700), equating to 1.79% of the population (1.50% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 55 people.

  • In Northern Ireland, the trend in the estimated percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 was uncertain; the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 29,700 (95% credible interval: 21,800 to 38,300), equating to 1.62% of the population, or around 1 in 60 people.

  • In Scotland, the estimated percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 continued to increase; the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 114,800 (95% credible interval: 95,400 to 134,800), equating to 2.18% of the population (1.83% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 45 people.

  • The estimated percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased in the North East, North West, East Midlands, London and the South West, and the trends were uncertain in all other regions of England. 

  • In England, the estimated percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased in those aged 25 years and over, decreased in those aged 2 years to school Year 11, and the trend was uncertain for those in school Year 12 to age 24 years. 

17 February 2023 - weekly update

The following points are for the week ending 7 February 2023.

  • In England, the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 continued to increase; we estimate that 1,054,200 (95% credible interval: 998,300 to 1,112,700) people had COVID-19, equating to 1.88% of the population, or around 1 in 55 people.
  • In Wales, the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased; we estimate that 46,300 (95% credible interval: 35,500 to 58,600) people had COVID-19, equating to 1.50% of the population, or around 1 in 65 people.
  • In Northern Ireland, the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 continued to decrease; we estimate that 23,300 (95% credible interval: 16,200 to 31,400) people had COVID-19, equating to 1.27% of the population, or around 1 in 80 people.
  • In Scotland, the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased; we estimate that 96,500 (95% credible interval: 80,300 to 114,700) people had COVID-19, equating to 1.83% of the population, or around 1 in 55 people.
  • The percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased in all regions of England except the North East and the South West where the trend was uncertain.

  • In England, the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased across all age groups, except those aged 2 years to school Year 6 and aged 25 to 34 years where the trend was uncertain.

10 February 2023 - weekly update

The following points are for the week ending 31 January 2023 for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

  • The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) increased in England, continued to decrease in Northern Ireland, and the trends were uncertain in Wales and Scotland.

  • In England, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 874,700 (95% credible interval: 822,500 to 927,700), equating to 1.56% of the population (an increase from 1.42% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 65 people.

  • In Wales, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 36,600 (95% credible interval: 28,100 to 47,400), equating to 1.19% of the population, or around 1 in 85 people.

  • In Northern Ireland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 25,500 (95% credible interval: 18,000 to 34,200), equating to 1.39% of the population (a decrease from 1.52% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 70 people.

  • In Scotland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 82,300 (95% credible interval: 66,000 to 100,300), equating to 1.56% of the population, or around 1 in 65 people.

3 February 2023 - weekly update 

The following points are for the week ending 24 January 2023 for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

  • The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) continued to decrease in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

  • In England, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 799,200 (95% credible interval: 750,000 to 849,700), equating to 1.42% of the population (a decrease from 1.62% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 70 people.

  • In Wales, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 38,800 (95% credible interval: 29,900 to 48,800), equating to 1.26% of the population (a decrease from 1.85% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 80 people.

  • In Northern Ireland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 27,900 (95% credible interval: 20,600 to 36,600), equating to 1.52% of the population (a decrease from 3.08% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 65 people.

  • In Scotland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 75,900 (95% credible interval: 61,100 to 91,900), equating to 1.44% of the population (a decrease from 1.76% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 70 people.

27 January 2023 - weekly update

The following points are for the week ending 17 January 2023 for England, Wales and Scotland, and 14 January 2023 for Northern Ireland.

  • The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) continued to decrease in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
  • In England, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 906,300 (95% credible interval: 853,200 to 963,000), equating to 1.62% of the population (a decrease from 2.61% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 60 people.
  • In Wales, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 57,100 (95% credible interval: 45,600 to 69,700), equating to 1.85% of the population (a decrease from 3.94% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 55 people.
  • In Northern Ireland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 56,500 (95% credible interval: 45,800 to 68,500), equating to 3.08% of the population (a decrease from 4.22% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 30 people.
  • In Scotland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 92,400 (95% credible interval: 77,200 to 109,100), equating to 1.76% of the population (a decrease from 3.26% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 55 people.

20 January 2023 - weekly update 

The following points are for the week ending 10 January 2023.

  • The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) continued to decrease in England and Wales, and decreased in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

  • In England, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 1,461,900 (95% credible interval: 1,394,000 to 1,529,700), equating to 2.61% of the population (a decrease from 4.02% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 40 people.

  • In Wales, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 121,600 (95% credible interval: 103,200 to 140,900), equating to 3.94% of the population (a decrease from 5.16% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 25 people.

  • In Northern Ireland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 77,300 (95% credible interval: 63,400 to 92,300), equating to 4.22% of the population (a decrease from 7.04% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 25 people.

  • In Scotland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 171,500 (95% credible interval: 147,700 to 197,000), equating to 3.26% of the population (a decrease from 4.17% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 30 people.

13 January 2023 - weekly update

The following points are for the week ending 3 January 2023 for England and Wales, and the week ending 31 December 2022 for Northern Ireland and Scotland.

  • The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) decreased in England and Wales, continued to increase in Scotland, and the trend was uncertain in Northern Ireland.

  • In England, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 2,189,300 (95% credible interval: 2,094,800 to 2,283,200), equating to 4.02% of the population (a decrease from 4.52% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 25 people.

  • In Wales, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 157,000 (95% credible interval: 136,500 to 180,100), equating to 5.16% of the population (a decrease from 5.70% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 19 people.

  • In Northern Ireland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 129,100 (95% credible interval: 109,800 to 151,200), equating to 7.04% of the population, or around 1 in 14 people.

  • In Scotland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 219,600 (95% credible interval: 189,300 to 251,600), equating to 4.17% of the population (an increase from 4.05% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 25 people.

6 January 2023 - weekly update

The following points are for the week ending 28 December 2022 for England, Wales and Scotland, and the week ending 22 December 2022 for Northern Ireland. Comparisons with results from our previous publication on 23 December 2022 are for the week ending 9 December 2022 for England, the week ending 8 December 2022 for Wales and Scotland, and the week ending 7 December 2022 for Northern Ireland.

  • The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) continued to increase in England and Scotland, and increased in Wales and Northern Ireland.

  • In England, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 2,463,000 (95% credible interval: 2,338,700 to 2,593,200), equating to 4.52% of the population (an increase from 2.20% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 20 people.

  • In Wales, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 173,200 (95% credible interval: 143,900 to 205,400), equating to 5.70% of the population (an increase from 1.89% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 18 people.

  • In Northern Ireland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 118,100 (95% credible interval: 101,400 to 136,300), equating to 6.43% of the population (an increase from 2.02% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 16 people.

  • In Scotland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 213,100 (95% credible interval: 172,000 to 258,300), equating to 4.05% of the population (an increase from 2.49% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 25 people.