UK Biobank COVID-19 antibody study: round 1 results
Published 30 July 2020
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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As part of a programme of surveillance studies DHSC has funded an antibody study, undertaken by UK Biobank, to help understand the extent of previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 in different populations across the UK and whether they persist over time.
UK Biobank has recruited 20,000 volunteers, a combination of UK Biobank participants, their adult children and grandchildren, in order to produce results that are representative of the UK population. They are providing a finger-prick sample of blood using a kit sent to their home every month for at least 6 months. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in these samples are being measured in a central laboratory at Oxford University which provide evidence of previous infection with the virus.
First results
These first results provide a snapshot for May and June of past SARS-CoV-2 infection, revealing that:
- overall in the study, 7.1% of the participants had been infected previously
- there was no difference in the rates of previous infection between men and women, but the rates were higher in younger people (ranging from 10.8% in those under 30, to 5.4% in those over 70)
- previous infection was most common among people who live in London (10.4%), and least common among those who live in the south west of England and Scotland (4.4% in both)
- people living in areas with higher levels of socio-economic deprivation had a higher rate (8.9%) of previous infection than those who live in more affluent areas of the country (6.1%)
- the rate of previous infection was higher among people of Black (11.3%) and South Asian (9.0%) ethnicity than among those of White ethnicity (6.9%)
Future results
Results from blood samples taken each month will provide vital information about changes in the rates of previous infection in different groups of individuals across the UK. Among people who have been infected, analyses of changes in the levels of antibody levels over time will help to determine how long antibodies persist.
Detailed information on the participants, available to UK Biobank with consent, will be used to assess the impact of age and other characteristics (including genetic variation) on the persistence of antibody levels.
Conclusion
Rates of previous infection were particularly high in certain sub-groups. For example, the rate was 18.4% in adults from ethnic minority groups, aged under 30 and living in London. However, the differences between ethnic groups were not explained fully by where people lived or by their age.
This data covers the first month of the study and provides a baseline of data. Monthly reports will allow us to monitor trends and the important question of how long antibodies persist in the body.
Further analysis is required to understand risk factors and varying rates of previous infection for certain sub-groups.