FOI Ref: FOI/2021/3410
You asked
With regards to the following report, 'Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, characteristics of people testing positive for COVID-19, UK: 16 December 2021', could I ask for the cycle threshold (Ct) paired figures (ie. 1st infection and 2nd or other subsequent infections) for the cases ideally where only natural immunity was at play (ie. no vaccine before or after the COVID infection), please? If the dates were available for these positive results, that would be perfection.
we said
Thank you for your request.
The Office for National Statistics COVID-19 Infection Survey (CIS) is a household survey that estimates the number of people testing positive for infection and for antibodies in the UK. Our statistics refer to the number of current COVID-19 infections within the population living in private residential households. We exclude those in hospitals, care homes and/or other communal establishments. In communal establishments, rates of COVID-19 infection are likely to be different.
We do not hold analysis on cycle threshold paired figures by vaccination and previous infection status. This information would need to be created. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), public bodies are not required to produce bespoke analysis in order to respond to freedom of information requests. This information therefore is not held.
However, such analysis may be obtained via our bespoke services route. Such services would be subject to legal frameworks, disclosure controls, resources and agreement of costs. If you would like to request this bespoke dataset, please contact Infection.Survey.Analysis@ons.gov.uk to discuss your enquiry further.
Alternatively, if you are interested in accessing the microdata for the CIS, you can apply to be an accredited researcher with the secure research service (SRS). Once you have become an accredited researcher, you can make a project application to access the microdata.
Please note that we will be updating the publication referenced in your request and will consider including cycle threshold paired figures for reinfections by vaccination and previous infection status.
Further information and an overview of data about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic from the Office for National Statistic (ONS) and other sources can be found in our Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest insights tool.