FOI Ref: FOI/2021/3033
You asked
With regards to the following article: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10032777/People-dont-wear-face-masks-TWICE-likely-test-positive-Covid-data-suggests.html, please supply the following information under the Freedom of Informations act:
1. Who was the statistician who gave this data on face masks? What was his name?
2. Where and how was the study carried out and how many people were in the study?
3. What determines double vaccination? Is anyone who's received one jab considered "unvaccinated"
4. Given that coronaviruses are "filterable agents" how can a mask prevent transmission?
We said
Thank you for your request.
The COVID-19 Infection Survey comprises a large team of analysts. The analysis of the data is a collaboration between the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and researchers from the University of Oxford and University of Manchester, Public Health England and Wellcome Trust.
The COVID-19 Infection Survey is a household survey that estimates the number of people testing positive for infection and for antibodies in the UK. Our statistics refer to individuals in the community, by which we mean private households. These figures exclude infections reported in hospitals, care homes or other institutional settings.
Our survey began on 26 April 2020 in England. Since August 2020, we expanded the survey to invite a random sample of households from the AddressBase. Fieldwork increased in England, and coverage of the study was extended to include Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Survey fieldwork began in Wales on 29 June 2020, in Northern Ireland on 26 July 2020, and in Scotland on 21 September 2020.
Ultimately, the swab target is to achieve approximately 150,000 individuals with swab test results at least every fortnight from October 2020 onwards in England, approximately 9,000 in Wales, approximately 5,000 in Northern Ireland and approximately 15,000 in Scotland (approximately 179,000 total across the UK). The blood target is to achieve up to 125,000 people with blood test results every month in England, and up to 7,500, 5,500 and 12,000 per month in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland respectively (approximately 150,000 in total across the UK). The absolute numbers reflect the relative size of the underlying populations.
We take nose and throat swabs to test for the presence of SARS-CoV-02, the virus that causes coronavirus (COVID-19). To do this, laboratories use a real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR), not a lateral flow test. We ask everyone aged 2 years or older in each household to have a nose and throat swab, regardless of whether anyone is reporting symptoms or not. Every participant is swabbed once; participants are also invited to have repeat tests every week for the first five weeks as well as monthly. Initially this was for a period of 12 months. In May 2021, existing participants were invited to remain in the study until April 2022 and new participants were invited to take part in the study until this date.
You can find further information about where, when and how we collect data in our methods article and study protocol.
Individuals who have been fully vaccinated have received two doses of the vaccine. 'Unvaccinated' refers to individuals who have not received any doses of the vaccine. If an individual has only received one jab, they are categorised as having had one or more doses.
Regarding question 4, the COVID-19 Infection Survey does not hold analysis on these matters around face masks. This query may be better placed with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). They can be contacted via email at enquiries@ukhsa.gov.uk or via FOI email at InformationRights@UKHSA.gov.uk.