Coronavirus Covid-19 Infection Survey UK - 13 January 2023 - Figures Show Increases In Scotland

14th January 2023

The following points are for the week ending 3 January 2023 for England and Wales, and the week ending 31 December 2022 for Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) decreased in England and Wales, continued to increase in Scotland, and the trend was uncertain in Northern Ireland.

In England, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 2,189,300 (95% credible interval: 2,094,800 to 2,283,200), equating to 4.02% of the population (a decrease from 4.52% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 25 people.

In Wales, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 157,000 (95% credible interval: 136,500 to 180,100), equating to 5.16% of the population (a decrease from 5.70% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 19 people.

In Northern Ireland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 129,100 (95% credible interval: 109,800 to 151,200), equating to 7.04% of the population, or around 1 in 14 people.

In Scotland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 219,600 (95% credible interval: 189,300 to 251,600), equating to 4.17% of the population (an increase from 4.05% in the previous reference week), or around 1 in 25 people.

Results presented in this publication for the most recent reference week are based on a lower than usual number of returned swab results because of the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Results may have more uncertainty and be subject to change as more test results are received for this period.

The positivity rate is the percentage of people who would have tested positive for COVID-19 on a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at a point in time. We use current COVID-19 infections to mean testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, with or without having symptoms, on a swab taken from the nose and throat. This is different to the incidence rate, which is a measure of only the new PCR positive cases in a given time period. Data are based on confirmed positive COVID-19 test results from those living in private households, excluding those living in care homes or other communal establishments.

Read the full ONS report HERE