4.30pm on 20 January
Up to 1 in 36 people infected with COVID-19 in England

Initial findings from Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI published today show COVID-19 infections increased by 50% from early December, with 1 in 63 people infected.
The interim findings from the eighth report of REACT, one of the country’s largest studies into COVID-19 infections in England shows the prevalence was highest in London, with 1 in 36 people infected – more than double the rate in early December.
To examine the levels of infection in the general population, over 142,900 volunteers were tested in England from 06 to 15 January. The study was commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and carried out by scientists, clinicians and researchers at Imperial College London, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Ipsos MORI.
In response to the findings, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “These findings show why we must not let down our guard over the weeks to come. Infections across England are at very high levels and this will have a knock-on effect on the already significant pressures faced by our NHS and hospitals.
“It is absolutely paramount that everyone plays their part to bring down infections. This means staying at home and only going out where absolutely necessary, reducing contact with others and maintaining social distancing.”
In Oxfordshire, 254 people had at least one positive COVID-19 test result in the last day, according to government figures just released. This brings the total number of cases recorded in the county since the pandemic began to 27,279.
The current weekly rate of COVID-19 per 100,000 population in Oxfordshire as reported up to 16 January is 385. This is a reduction of more than 40% from the high of 656.4 reported on 04 January.
Sadly, 9 deaths were reported of people who had had a positive test result for COVID-19 and died within 28 days of the first positive test. This brings the total number of deaths by this measure to 541.