About the study

Following the transition to “Living with COVID-19” and after careful consideration, the COVID-19 and Respiratory Infections Survey formally ended on 28 June 2023.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) endemic has had a major impact across the UK. 

In April 2023, the COVID-19 and Respiratory Infections Survey (CRIS) was commissioned to help us understand and manage COVID-19 and other respiratory infections while the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) were reviewing their approach to COVID-19 surveillance.

The data from the study when combined with data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey (CIS) were important in helping us understand:

• the impact of self-reported COVID-19, long COVID and other respiratory infections on the lives of individuals, the community and on health services and how they changed

• potential pressures to help support the NHS and other services to prepare for future stressors, acting as an early warning system

The study was conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the government's largest independent producer of statistics. We collect information about the UK's society and economy, which provides evidence for policy- and decision-making, and for directing resources to where they are needed most. 

This study used participants from the COVID-19 Infection Survey (CIS), which was commissioned and funded by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). UKHSA is an executive agency sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The ONS processed and sent all letter communications. GOV.UK Notify, a service offered by the Cabinet Office, sent email communications on our behalf.