Coronavirus and self-isolation after being in contact with a positive case in England: 1 to 5 June 2021

• Data collected from 1 to 5 June 2021 show that the majority (87%) of those who had contact with a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) case fully adhered to self-isolation requirements throughout their full isolation period, though this result was statistically significantly lower than the results of the previous two surveys (93% between 4 and 8 May 2021, and 92% between 19 and 24 April 2021).

• Around one-third (35%) of all respondents reported experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, and this is significantly higher than seen in the previous two surveys (21% between 4 and 8 May 2021, and 26% between 19 and 24 April 2021).

• Adherence to self-isolation requirements was significantly higher among those who developed symptoms (93%) compared with those who did not (84%).

• More than half of respondents (57%) had downloaded the NHS Test and Trace app, which was a significant increase from 45% between 19 and 24 April 2021.

• Most respondents (93%) reported having no contact with non-household members for their full period of isolation.

• Of those who reported non-adherent behaviour, 83% left their house at least once during the isolation period for a non-permitted reason.

• Over one-third (37%) of all respondents reported that self-isolation had a negative effect on their wellbeing and mental health, and 27% reported having lost income because of self-isolation.

Statistician's comment

“Most of those who are contacted through Test and Trace and asked to self-isolate are still following the rules around self-isolation, however, we’ve seen a decrease in those following the requirements in June, compared with April and May.

"More people are reporting experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 whilst in self-isolation, reflecting the increasing infection rates seen across the UK, so it’s really crucial everybody adheres to self-isolation guidelines if they are notified to do so.

"We will continue to monitor adherence to self-isolation requirements and the impact it can have on people.”

Tim Gibbs, Public Services Analysis team, Office for National Statistics.

Follow the Public Services Analysis team on Twitter:@HughStick

Since December 2020, there has been a legal duty in England to self-isolate for 10 days if you live in the same household as a person who has symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), or if you have been in close contact with, but do not live with, a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

The data presented in this bulletin were collected from individuals (“contacts”) who had been identified as having been in contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19. The data were collected at the point when this population had recently reached (or were near to) the end of their self-isolation period.

More information on identifying this group of people, self-isolation and collecting the data can be found in the Glossary and Measuring the data sections.

Between 1 and 5 June 2021, the majority (87%) of respondents reported fully adhering to requirements throughout the whole self-isolation period, as shown in Table 1.

Figure 1 shows the proportion of respondents who fully adhered to self-isolation requirements following contact with a positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19), according to selected characteristics.

Adherence to self-isolation requirements was statistically significantly higher among those who developed COVID-19 symptoms (93%) compared with those who did not develop symptoms (84%). Differences within other groups (by sex, age, area deprivation and vaccination status) were not significant.

The proportion of those who had contact with a positive COVID-19 case and did not adhere to self-isolation requirements throughout their 10-day isolation period increased significantly to 12% between 1 and 5 June 2021, compared with 7% between 4 and 8 May 2021. This result follows the easing of certain lockdown restrictions on 17 May 2021.

The majority (93%) of those required to self-isolate following contact with a positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) reported having no contact with non-household members throughout the whole self-isolation period. This has significantly decreased from 97% in the previous survey (4 to 8 May 2021), which was prior to the easing of restrictions on 17 May 2021.

The proportion of respondents who did not have contact with a non-household member was similar in the first 24 hours of self-isolation (97%) compared with the rest of the isolation period (96%). Of those who had contact with a non-household member at least once, around one-third (32%) met two to five non-household members during their isolation. (Please note that the latter estimate is based on a sample of fewer than 30.)

Respondents were asked about their interpretation of the requirements for self-isolation to determine how well they understood them. Around three-quarters (76%) fully understood the requirements, compared with around one-quarter (24%) who either misunderstood or were unsure. This was similar across all age groups.

In the first 24 hours after they had been informed to self-isolate, those who understood the guidance were significantly more likely to adhere to it (97%) compared with those who misunderstood or were unsure of the guidance (91%). Across the whole period of self-isolation, the proportion of those who understood the guidance and adhered to it was higher than for those who misunderstood or were unsure of the guidance (88% and 83% respectively), though this was not statistically significant.

Self-isolation

Self-isolation refers to not leaving your home because you have been informed by NHS Test and Trace that you are a contact of a person who has had a positive test result for the coronavirus (COVID-19). You must stay at home and complete 10 full days of isolation. It is a legal requirement to self-isolate if you have been notified to by the NHS Test and Trace service. Your isolation period includes the date of your last contact with them and the next 10 full days. If you develop symptoms, stay at home and arrange to have a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19. In addition to staying home, if you are self-isolating you should not receive visitors, unless the purpose of the visit is to provide essential care.

For further information please see NHS guidance When to self-isolate and what to do.

Lockdown

On 5 January 2021, the UK government announced a further national lockdown for England. On 22 February 2021, the UK government published a four-step roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions in England. Step 2 of the roadmap (which allowed the re-opening of more businesses and activities) was implemented on 12 April 2021. Step 3 (which eased limits on social contact and allowed further re-opening of businesses and activities) was implemented on 17 May 2021. Both of these steps occurred before the data in this survey were collected.

Survey information

The latest quality and methodology information on data from the COVID Test and Trace Contacts Insights Survey can be found in Coronavirus and self-isolation after being in contact with a positive case in England methodology.

Estimates for this survey

The data were collected between 1 and 5 June 2021. The sample consisted of 968 adults and was stratified to be representative of the age, sex and regional distribution of the “contacts” population.

Percentages in this report are based on weighted counts that are representative of the population of adults (aged 18 years or over) notified as being in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 between 4 and 31 May 2021 and are adjusted to address age, sex and regional bias in responses.

Of those potential respondents who were successfully contacted by an interviewer, the response rate was 58.6%. When including cases where contact was attempted but not made, the response rate was 15.3%. As with all surveys, these estimates have an associated margin of error.

Respondents were randomly sampled through the Contact Tracing and Advice Service (CTAS) database, held by NHS Test and Trace. The majority (99%) of respondents were interviewed within four days of the end of their self-isolation period, to minimise recall bias. The longest time between the end of self-isolation and interview was five days.

Information on the strengths and limitations of this survey are available in Coronavirus and self-isolation after being in contact with a positive case in England methodology.