A survey like no other: Tracking the spread of COVID-19 in the general population

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We’ve released the first episode of our new monthly podcast, Statistically Speaking, looking at the rapid creation and early days of the ONS’ Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey.  

Since April 2020, our survey has provided vital weekly snapshots of the level of SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating within the community across the whole of the UK.  

We’re joined by three central figures in the project, Ruth Studley and Tina Thomas from the ONS and Professor Sarah Walker from the University of Oxford.  

With each guest providing their expertise on the analysis, design and operation of the study, they give us the inside story on one of ONS’ most ambitious surveys, set up in a matter of weeks as the pandemic took hold.  

This episode was recorded in September 2021, before the emergence of the Omicron variant. 

You can listen to the full episode and read the transcript here.