Coronavirus (Covid-19) Infection Survey, Northern Ireland: Weekly Report

The Department of Health today published the next in the series of weekly results from its COVID-19 Infection Survey (CIS).

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The findings set out in this report relate to modelled positivity estimates for Northern Ireland for the week up to the 28 May 2022. The aims of the CIS are to estimate how many people have the infection and the number of new cases that occur over a given time as well as estimating how many people have developed antibodies to COVID-19.

The survey over time will help track the extent of infection and transmission of COVID-19 among people in the community population (those in private residential households).

Key Findings

The report has been brought forward this week in order to publish before the bank holiday. As a result, the report is shorter than the usual release and does not include analyses relating to the number of new COVID-19 infections (incidence), sub-regional positivity rates and estimates by age.

Due to the relatively small number of tests and positive swab results within our sample, credible intervals are wide and therefore results should be interpreted with caution.

• During the most recent week of the study (22 May – 28 May 2022), it is estimated that 24,300 people in Northern Ireland had COVID-19 (95% credible interval: 17,300 to 33,200).
• This equates to 1.33% of the population (95% credible interval: 0.94% to 1.81%) or around 1 in 75 people (95% credible interval: 1 in 110 to 1 in 55).

Modelling suggests the trend in the percentage of people testing positive was uncertain in the week ending 28 May in Northern Ireland.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Department of Health has been working along with the Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency and the Office for National Statistics (and its various survey partners) to extend the COVID-19 Infection Survey to Northern Ireland. Fieldwork in Northern Ireland began on 27 July 2020.

2. All results are provisional and subject to revision. Due to relatively small number of tests and positive swab tests within the sample, credible intervals are wide and therefore results should be interpreted with caution.

3. These statistics refer to infections reported in the community (i.e. private households). These figures exclude infections reported in hospitals, care homes and/or other communal establishments.

4. Estimates of the total national proportion of the population testing positive for COVID-19 are adjusted to be representative of the population of Northern Ireland that live in private residential households in terms of age, sex and region.

5. Weekly reports are to be published with findings from the COVID-19 Infection survey. It is anticipated that new and further analyses will be added to the weekly reports over time.

6. Further information about quality and methodology associated with the survey can be found on the ONS website.

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/methodologies/covid19infectionsurveypilotmethodsandfurtherinformation#covid-19-infection-survey
 

7. This publication is available online.

8. Additional information is available from:
   Information Analysis Directorate
   Department of Health
   Annex 2, Castle Buildings
   Stormont
   Belfast BT4 3SQ
   Telephone: 028 9052 2340        E-mail: statistics@health-ni.gov.uk
    
9. For media enquiries please contact the DoH Press Office by email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.

10. Follow us on Twitter @healthdpt.

11. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service For Media Enquiries Only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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