ONS survey might end in April

[HelloMist]

UK's 'gold standard' Covid testing to be scrapped making it difficult to monitor virus spread
inews.co.uk/news/politics/covid-testing-gold-standard-ons-testing-set-to-be-scrapped-making-it-difficult-to-monitor-virus-spread-1454482?ito=twitter_share_article-top

Not definite yet, but this is a really bad idea! Daily reported cases are getting less reliable as fewer are being done (especially in certain age groups). If community testing continues to drop and/or tests are no longer free, the PCR tests done in the ONS survey are important to track prevalence in the population, changing symptoms and new variants. Some participants also do blood antibody tests, so the survey can collect data on how long we have these and at what levels.

I hope it's not scrapped. How else are they going to pick up new variants?

Maybe they'll carry on with the ONS ones?

Total self interest here but was hoping the vouchers would continue to help offset the cost of living rises!

I’ll miss the vouchers!

I just saw this too. The vouchers definitely come in handy (although a pain since they withdrew the Amazon ones).

I do the antibody tests too although this only started after I had my first jab so no idea if I've antibodies due to that or asymptomatic covid. I was very interested to see over the next year if antibodies wane between last booster and whenever we're expected to have the next booster. Obviously won't know if it stops in April.

According to BBC News it's going to be replaced by a scaled down scheme. Shame! Wonder if this latest voucher will be our last?

Apparently continuing. Happy days.

Just had an email to confirm they will be continuing but with a smaller sample group and postal returns of tests rather than home visits.

From the email I received today it looks like it will continue potentially after April until they have had the new study signed off by the ethics Committee. The new study is the same just not as many participants, participants currently in the study will be notified shortly to let us all know if we have been selected (looks like they want a a mix of age ranges, areas etc). This to me makes sence they need to continue but not on the current scale. I feel the media are scaremongering once again, the study was never going to be sustainable at the level it is now long term, nor is it needed at that level.

This is a copy and paste of the email.

Thank you for your continued participation in the COVID-19 Infection Survey.

Your samples, alongside wider results from the survey, have provided vital information to inform key government decisions across the UK. This has shaped the response to the pandemic and made a great difference to our understanding of infection hot spots and how vaccines work in the real world.

You have been essential in making the survey a success, and we would like to thank you for your commitment and dedication.

We may need your continued support

Given the importance of the survey, we will be continuing its vital work beyond the initial expected end date of April 2022, as part of the government’s Living with COVID-19 plan.

We will need a smaller, but representative sample of existing participants like you. We will be in touch with you as soon as we can to confirm whether your household has been selected to remain in the survey.

We will be making some changes to make it easier for those who remain on the survey to participate, based on participant feedback.

We will be introducing a more flexible approach, so you can post your samples to us, rather than having face-to-face appointments at your home.
You would answer the same survey questions, but can respond online or on the phone.
Before this new approach begins, it will be reviewed by the Research Ethics Committee and must be approved by them.
The Research Ethics Committee has agreed that anyone who signed a consent form to April 2022 is free to continue in the survey while we move from the existing system to this new one, that you may be invited to opt into.
But as ever, anyone can withdraw from the survey at any time, by calling the support line on 0800 085 6807.
We will be in touch over the coming weeks with more detail about what happens next. In the meantime, you will continue to be visited by a study worker as usual. Whether you are remaining on the survey or not, we’d like to thank your support.

Some form of survey should continue I think.

Many people not least myself want to be able to travel, attend events etc, and if the extent of Covid 19 remaining is seen to be hidden, I can see some countries making more hoops for travel there.

Hope it continues, otherwise new variants could catch us completely pff guard.

In the meantime it's a good idea for everyone to download the zoe app and input into that daily, especially when free testing ends.

Really hoping the Zoe app stays... I had lapsed but am inputting daily again now. It does give a good idea of covid levels in any particular area for people to make their own risk assessments

Update: it will be continuing! Costs will be reduced by reducing the sample size (roughly 75% will be invited to continue after April) and by changing to a postal sample system and remote survey questions rather than a visit to the house.

I wonder when we'll hear if we're in the group being asked to continue?

Not sure, the email ONS sent us says they are awaiting the Ethics committee approval and that ONS will then get in touch "in the coming weeks".

Just had another update that the face to face visits will continue for a short while until the new replacement system is set up and confirmed but that the vouchers are being reduced down to £20 per person.