Coronavirus and self-isolation after being in contact with a positive case in England: 19 to 24 April 2021

• Data collected from 19 to 24 April 2021, after further easing of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions on 12 April 2021, show that the majority (92%) of those who had contact with a positive COVID-19 case fully adhered to the self-isolation requirements throughout their 10-day isolation period.
• Most people (95%) had no contact with non-household members for their full isolation period.
• Of those who reported non-adherent behaviour, around two-thirds (65%) left their house at least once during the isolation period for a non-permitted reason and 40% allowed one or more visitors into their homes.
• Of those who downloaded the Test and Trace app, almost half (47%) received a notification telling them to self-isolate.
• Approximately one-third (32%) of all respondents reported that self-isolation had a negative effect on their well-being and mental health, and 29% of respondents reported having lost income because of self-isolation.
• The results of this survey show no significant difference in understanding of self-isolation guidance, full adherence to the guidance, and having no contact with non-household members when compared with the results of the previous survey (1 to 10 April 2021), which was carried out before the latest easing of restrictions.
• The Test and Trace Contacts Insights Survey was undertaken in response to policy questions on the level of adherence to self-isolation requirements of those who have been notified by the NHS Test and Trace service to self-isolate, having been in contact with someone who had received a positive test result for COVID-19, and other information.

Statistician's comment

“Today’s data continue to show a majority of respondents are following self-isolation requirements after being in contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19.

“Since our last results, we’ve seen significant lockdown restrictions eased so I’m pleased to see people are still aware of the risks of passing on the virus, even as we transition out of lockdown and infections are low.”

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 have received a positive test result, if you live in the same household as a person who has symptoms of the 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 nearing the end of their self-isolation period.

These data were collected from 19 to 24 April 2021 during a period in which COVID-19 restrictions were easing. 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.

The majority (92%) of those required to self-isolate reported fully adhering to requirements throughout the whole self-isolation period. This has not changed significantly since the previous data collection period between 1 and 10 April 2021, which was prior to the latest easing of restrictions.

A minority (8%) reported not adhering to the requirements during the self-isolation period, for example, by leaving the home or having visitors for a reason not permitted within legislation. In the first 24 hours after being notified to start self-isolating, the percentage who did not adhere to the isolation requirements was 3%, compared with 6% during the period after the first 24 hours until the end of self-isolation.

Of those who did not adhere, around two-thirds (65%) left their house at least once for a non-permitted reason, for example, for outdoor recreation or exercise, and 4 in 10 (40%) reported having one or more visitors to their home during the isolation period.

Adherence with isolation requirements for the full period was statistically significantly higher among those who understood the guidance (95%), compared with those who misunderstood or were unsure of the guidance (82%).

The majority of people (95%) had no contact with non-household members for their full isolation period (or until the point of the survey). This was almost unchanged from the data collected between 1 and 10 April 2021 (94%).

Respondents were just as likely to have no contact with non-household members in the first 24 hours (97%) as for the remainder of the isolation period (96%). Of those who had contact with non-household members, approximately two-thirds (65%) had contact in the form of visitors to their home and around 4 in 10 (42%) had contact while out of the house (although 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 (74%) fully understood the requirements, compared with around one-quarter (26%) who either misunderstood or were unsure. The activity that was incorrectly reported as being allowed most often was going to the shops for groceries, medicine, or other items (Figure 1).

Those in the youngest age group (18 to 34 years) were significantly more likely to report that going to the shops was allowed, at 10%, in comparison with 5% of those in the middle age bracket (35 to 54 years).

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 (before this survey took place).

Survey information

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 19 and 24 April 2021. The sample consisted of 1,194 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 22 March and 18 April 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 49.5%. When including cases where contact was attempted but not made, the response rate was 17.8%. 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, in order to minimise recall bias. The longest time between the end of self-isolation and interview was six 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.