New COVID-19 cases amongst over 65s rose sevenfold, study reveals

The number of new coronavirus cases amongst people aged 65+ has risen sevenfold in England, a study has discovered.

According to an interim report from the largest community COVID-19 testing programme, infections rose in all age groups between 18-26 September but the biggest rise in cases occurred in the over 65 age group - which saw seven times as many cases as previously.

The Imperial College REACT-1 (REal-time Assessment of Community Transmission) study is tracking current cases of COVID-19 in the community by testing more than 150,000 randomly-selected people each month over a two-week period. Over 80,000 volunteers out of 150,000 have been tested so far.

A similar rise in cases was found in those aged between 55-64-years-old, according to researchers. Results from nose and throat swab tests show infections have increased not only across all age groups but across all areas of England. The study's findings were announced on International Day For Older Persons (1 October).

R rate falls to 1.1

The research, led by Imperial College London, revealed the reproduction (R) number had fallen from 1.7 to 1.1. This suggests the rate of new infections may be slowing but researchers warned an R above 1 means cases will continue to rise if current trends continue.

Professor Paul Elliott, director of the REACT programme at Imperial College London, said: “While our latest findings show some early evidence that the growth of new cases may have slowed, suggesting efforts to control the infection are working, the prevalence of infection is the highest that we have recorded to date.

"This reinforces the need for protective measures to limit the spread of the disease and the public’s adherence to these, which will be vital to minimise further significant illness and loss of life from COVID-19.”

The study estimated over one in 200 people across England have the SARS-CoV-2 virus, or 0.55 per cent of the population, compared to 0.13 per cent in the previous round of testing.

Findings from the REACT-1 programme will be submitted for peer-review. The final report and its findings for all 150,000 volunteers tested between 18 September - 5 October is scheduled to be published next week.