The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released numbers that show the current odds of catching Covid-19 in England are about 44 in a million. The ONS currently estimate that England is currently experiencing between 1,200 and 4,200 new infections a day. Although the testing figures from the ONS do add that many of those infected will not experience symptoms.
The economist Tim Harford, who presents the BBC Radio 4 statistics programme More or Less has said that the current stats show that about one person in 100 dies after being infected and another one in 100 will suffer long-term effects of coronavirus.
Mr Harford has therefore concluded that coronavirus risk can be equated to taking a bath or skiing as well as being considerably less risky than scuba diving or sky diving. Harford has said: “Covid-19 currently presents a background risk of a one in a million chance of death or lasting harm, every day. The risk of death alone is one in two million. Simply existing in a country where the virus is suppressed but circulating is not so risky. It depends on age, gender, geography, behaviour and much else. But on average it is similar to taking a bath, going skiing, or a short motorbike ride, and considerably less risky than a scuba dive or a skydive.”
He explained that he began studying the coronavirus numbers when a friend, who was self-isolating asked him what the true risks were. Mr Harford did add: “My friend will have to make his own decisions, as we all will. But the risk to most individuals in the UK seems modest, for now”.
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Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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