COVID-19 infection survey [COVID-19] [UPH]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and prevalence of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in the UK general population as assessed through repeated cross-sectional household surveys with additional serial sampling and longitudinal follow-up - an Office of National Statistics Survey
IRAS ID
283248
Contact name
Ann Sarah Walker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford/Clinical Trials and Research Governance
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN21086382
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The Covid-19 pandemic is having a profound impact across the UK. This study aims to find out how many people have the infection, and how many are likely to have had the infection, even if they haven’t realised it at the time. \n\nThe main test used to diagnose Covid-19 directly looks for the virus in their nose and throat. Once someone has recovered, the virus is no longer there. One way the body fights infections is by producing small particles in the blood called “antibodies”. It takes 2-3 weeks to make enough antibodies to fight the infection. But once someone recovers, antibodies stay in the blood at low levels– this is what helps them not get the same infection again. So scientists try to measure levels of the virus and these antibodies to work out who has Covid-19 now (with or without symptoms) and in the past. \n\nIn this study we will test for the virus in the nose and throat of people and measure levels of antibody in the blood. We will begin by asking everyone aged 2 years or older in ~11,000 households to have a nose and throat swab and answer some questions at a home visit. Those from ~1000 households will also have a blood sample taken by a healthcare professional. We will include a new group of ~11,000 households approximately every month, to find out how rates of infection and immunity are changing. We will also ask all these people whether they would be happy to have the same tests repeated each week for a month, and every month for a year, to find out how infection and immunity changes over time in individuals. \n\nThis information will help work out how to manage the pandemic better moving forwards and protect the NHS.\n
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SC/0195
Date of REC Opinion
21 Apr 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion