Coronavirus and self-isolation after testing positive in England: 10 May to 15 May 2021

• The data collected between 10 and 15 May 2021 show that the majority (86%) of those required to self-isolate reported fully adhering to the requirements throughout their self-isolation period.

• There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion that fully adhered to the requirements through their self-isolation period between Index of Multiple Deprivation groups.

• Non-adherent behaviour was most likely to take place in the period between the onset of symptoms (prompting a test) and receiving a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test result.

• Adherence with self-isolation requirements between the onset of symptoms and receiving a positive test result was 84%; once a positive test result was received, reported adherence was statistically significantly higher in the first 24 hours after (98%) and the remainder of the isolation period (96%).

• The majority (84%) of those who tested positive for COVID-19 reported having no contact with non-household members while they had any symptoms of illness or during the self-isolation period.

• Over a third (37%) of those who tested positive reported that self-isolation had a negative effect on their well-being and mental health.

Statistician's comment

"It’s great that the majority of people who tested positive for COVID–19 reported adhering to self-isolation requirements in our survey.

"This is particularly reassuring as this data was collected during a time when national lockdown restrictions were easing.

"Although there are negative impacts of self-isolation, on mental health and income, following the rules is absolutely key in keeping people safe and infection levels low as we take steps back to normality."

Tim Gibbs, Head of the Public Services Analysis Team, Office for National Statistics

Follow the Public Services Analysis team on Twitter: @HughStick

In September 2020, a new legal duty was introduced in England, requiring people to self-isolate for 10 days if they tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). For more information on self-isolation, please see Glossary.

The data presented in this bulletin were collected from individuals who had tested positive for COVID-19 and had recently reached or were nearing the end of their self-isolation period. These data were collected between 10 and 15 May 2021, during a period in which national lockdown restrictions were easing. More information on identifying this group of people, lockdown and collecting the data can be found in the Glossary and Measuring the data sections.

The data collected between 10 and 15 May 2021 show that the majority (86%) of those required to self-isolate reported fully adhering to requirements throughout the whole of their self-isolation period. There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion that fully adhered to the requirements through their self-isolation period between Index of Multiple Deprivation groups; this is the first time this statistic has been reported.

A minority of people (13%) reported carrying out at least one activity during self-isolation that was not adherent to the requirements, for example, leaving the home or having visitors for a reason not permitted under legislation. The main indicators of adherence and behaviour have remained broadly stable since March 2021.

Non-adherent behaviour was most likely to take place in the period between the onset of symptoms (which required self-isolation) and receiving a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test result.

Of those with symptoms prior to their test, the percentage who fully adhered to requirements between onset of symptoms and a positive test result was 84%. This compares with 98% who adhered to the requirements in the 24 hours following a positive result, and 96% in the period after the first 24 hours until the end of self-isolation (or the point of the survey if isolation was ongoing).

Of those who did not adhere to the requirements, most left the house for a non-permitted reason (85%). The most reported non-adherent reasons for leaving the house included going to work, school or university, or for another reason not specified.

To understand the risk of COVID-19 spreading outside the household, respondents were asked whether they had contact with non-household members at any point when they felt ill or were self-isolating. More information on defining contact with non-household members and adherence to requirements can be found in Coronavirus and self-isolation after testing positive in England methodology. When considering the risk of COVID-19 spreading, we consider those with any symptoms of illness before their test, for example, a sore throat.

The majority (84%) of those who tested positive for COVID-19 reported having no contact with non-household members while they had any symptoms of illness or during the self-isolation period.

Contact was most likely to take place while out of the house, as 83% of those who had contact with non-household members did so while out of the house. Of those who had contact with non-household members, approximately 3 in 10 (29%) had visitors to their home.

Self-isolation

Self-isolation refers to not leaving your home because you have or might have coronavirus (COVID-19). It is a legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19. In addition to staying at home, if you are self-isolating you should not receive visitors unless the purpose of the visit is to provide essential care. Your self-isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day you had the positive test result if you do not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days. If you still have symptoms after 10 days, you must continue self-isolating until they are gone.

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

Symptoms

Symptoms reported by respondents that do not require self-isolation prior to a positive test, if not experienced alongside a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or loss of sense of smell or taste are: shortness of breath or trouble breathing; runny or stuffy nose; muscle or body aches; headaches; sore throat; fatigue; vomiting, diarrhoea or severe stomach pain.

Symptoms which require an individual to self-isolate prior to a positive test result are a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or loss of sense of smell or taste (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.

Survey information

The latest quality and methodology information on data from the COVID Test and Trace Cases Insights Survey can be found in Coronavirus and self-isolation after testing positive in England methodology.

Estimates for Wave 4

This is the fourth bulletin in this series. The fourth wave of data was collected between 10 and 15 May 2021. The number of respondents was 1,044.

Respondents were sampled through the Contact Tracing and Advice Service (CTAS) database, held by NHS Test and Trace, using implicit stratification. Respondents were aged 18 years and over, had tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) and reached day 10 of their self-isolation period between 8 and 14 May 2021.

A minority (14%) of respondents were interviewed on days 8 or 9, just before the end of their isolation period, 22% were interviewed on the last day of their self-isolation period (day 10) and 62% were interviewed within 4 days following the end of their self-isolation period (days 11 to 14). The remaining 2% of respondents were interviewed between 5 and 7 days (days 15 to 17) after the end of self-isolation.​ The longest time between the end of self-isolation and interview was 7 days.

Of the potential respondents who were successfully contacted by an interviewer, the response rate was 53%. When including cases where contact was attempted but not made, the response rate was 20%.

A low response rate can be expected, as the target population was likely unwell with COVID-19 and so less likely to participate.

Percentages in this report are based on weighted counts that are representative of the population of adults (aged 18 years or over) who had tested positive for COVID-19 and began their self-isolation period between 12 April and 9 May 2021.

Information on the strengths and limitations of this survey are available in Coronavirus and self-isolation after testing positive in England methodology.