Following a trial run and official release on the 24th of September 2020, the NHS COVID-19 app has been downloaded more than 29 million times in England and Wales, as of December 2021. Developed to complement the NHS Test & Trace in England and the Test, Trace and Protect program in Wales, the app is aimed at increasing the speed and accuracy of contact tracing, and includes features such as local area alerts and venue check-in.

NHS COVID-19 app usage Between the beginning of June 2021 and the end of July 2021, the number of COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom started rising again, reaching the peak of 54,674 on the 21st of July. In the previous week, it was reported that more than 600 thousand users of the NHS COVID-19 app in England and Wales had received a self-isolation alert or “ping,” causing what has been since renamed by the media as a “pingdemic.” The NHS COVID-19 app, which works using Bluetooth technology, registers the devices that the users have been in proximity of, and is programmed to send alerts to all the traced contacts in case the app users test positive for coronavirus. While the app’s tracing measurements are currently being reviewed to decrease the number of alerts sent, two in 10 users have reported switching off the app’s contact tracing function. Moreover, according to a survey of online users in Great Britain, only 22 percent of the online users who have the app are using it correctly, while one in ten reported deleting the app altogether.

Travel health pass and COVID-19 apps In 2021, the rolling out of vaccination plans worldwide prompted health institutions and travel companies to start releasing new apps or updating their current ones to function as health passports. With close to 5,7 million downloads in the first half of 2021, the NHS app was the most downloaded app used to show digital certifications. The CovPass app, which is available to residents in Germany, followed with more than 5.56 million downloads as of the second quarter of 2021. According to a February survey of travelers worldwide, the main concerns over the use of digital health passports related to security risks over personal data being hacked and privacy protection.

As global communities responded to COVID-19, we heard from public health officials that the same type of aggregated, anonymized insights we use in products such as Google Maps would be helpful as they made critical decisions to combat COVID-19. These Community Mobility Reports aimed to provide insights into what changed in response to policies aimed at combating COVID-19. The reports charted movement trends over time by geography, across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

This family consists of various coronavirus matrix proteins which are transmembrane glycoproteins . The membrane (M) protein is the most abundant structural protein and defines the shape of the viral envelope, being the central organiser of coronavirus assembly. M proteins play a critical role in protein-protein interactions (as well as protein-RNA interactions) since virus-like particle (VLP) formation in many CoVs requires only the M and envelope (E) proteins for efficient virion assembly . Interaction of spike (S) with M is necessary for retention of S in the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC)/Golgi complex and its incorporation into new virions; binding of M to nucleocapsid (N) proteins stabilises the nucleocapsid. Together, M and E protein make up the viral envelope and their interaction is sufficient for the production and release of virus-like particles (VLPs).

With COVID-19 at the forefront, people may not have been aware of the importance of seeking medical help for early signs of cancer or taking up screening, when available, to diagnose cancer sooner. In addition, some people may not have wanted to be referred to a hospital for diagnostic tests due to fear of catching coronavirus in the healthcare setting. COVID-19 may have also affected whether people took part in healthy behaviours that could reduce the chances of getting cancer. These factors may have led to more cancers occurring, and more cancers being diagnosed at a late stage when treatment may be less successful.

To understand peoples experiences and attitudes towards potential symptoms of cancer, their help-seeking behaviours and engagement in prevention behaviours (i.e. smoking, diet, exercise, alcohol consumption) during the pandemic we carried out a large study in adults aged 18+ across the UK. We aimed to include adults from a range of different backgrounds.

Working closely with Cancer Research UK, we carried out an online survey with over 7,500 people to ask about any recent symptoms, cancer screening and health behaviours during the UK lockdown period. Survey questions included the time taken to visit the GP with a range of possible cancer symptoms, attitudes to cancer screening, anxiety about seeking help in the current situation, other barriers to seeking help, health behaviours including smoking, alcohol, diet and physical activity, and preferred ways of receiving public health information. The survey was repeated 6 months later to assess any changes in attitudes.

We also interview 26 people (by telephone) who had taken part in the survey across two timepoints (autumn 2020 and spring 2021) to understand their attitudes and behaviours in more detail and how these changed during the course of the pandemic.

Our study findings have been used to help in rapidly developing clear public health messages to encouraging people to act on the early signs of cancer, take up cancer screening when it became available and engage in healthy behaviours. Results from our study have been used to help to reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 on cancer outcomes in the longer term.

Background: The impact of COVID-19 on the UK public attitude towards cancer and potential cancer symptom help-seeking is likely to be considerable, translating into impact on the NHS from delayed referrals, missed screening and later-stage cancer diagnosis.

Aim: The aim of this study was to generate rapid self-report evidence on public views/responses of the covid-19 pandemic on caner symptoms to support and inform public health interventions with the potential to encourage: 1. timely symptom presentation, 2. engagement with cancer screening services and 3. improve cancer-related health behaviours I the wake of the pandemic.

Design: Prospective mixed-methods cohort study in the UK population.

Methods: During June-August 2020, and again six month later, we will conduct UK-wide online population survey of adults ages 18+. We measured attitudes and behaviour in the domains of 1. cancer symptom presentation, 2. intentions to engage with cancer screening, 3. Engagement in cancer-risk behaviours such as smoking, increased alcohol, poor diet and reduced physical activity. We sampled from established online cohorts (via CRUK and HealthWise Wales), supplemented with social media recruitment. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of survey participants to understand contextual influences on cancer attitudes and behaviours.

Objectives A key challenge for behaviour change is by-passing the influence of habits. Habits are easily triggered by contextual cues; hence context changes have been suggested to facilitate behaviour change (i.e., habit discontinuity). We examined the impact of a COVID-19 lockdown in England on habitual consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). The lockdown created a naturalistic context change because it removed typical SSB consumption situations (e.g., going out). We hypothesised that SSB consumption would be reduced during lockdown compared to before and after lockdown, especially in typical SSB drinking situations. Design In two surveys among the same participants (N = 211, N = 160; consuming SSBs at least once/week) we assessed the frequency of SSBs and water consumption occasions before (Time 1), during (Time 2) and after lockdown (Time 3), across typical SSB and water drinking situations. We also assessed daily amount consumed in each period, and perceived habitualness of drinking SSBs and water. Results As predicted, participants reported fewer occasions of drinking SSBs during lockdown compared to before and after, especially in typical SSB drinking situations. However, the daily amount of SSBs consumed increased during lockdown, compared to before and after. Exploratory analyses suggest that during lockdown, participants increased their SSB consump¬¬tion at home, especially if they had stronger perceived habitualness of SSB consumption. Conclusion These findings suggest that SSB consumption is easily transferred to other situations when the consumption context changes, especially for individuals with strong consumption habits. Habitual consumption may be hard to disrupt if the behaviour is rewarding.

What is the motivation for consuming sugary drinks? Why do some people choose Coke, and others water, to accompany their dinner or to quench their thirst? We know very little about the psychological processes underlying these behaviours. While the motivation for unhealthy food has been researched extensively, the motivation for sugary drinks remains understudied, despite their negative health implications. Up to 19% of daily calorie intake consists of sugar from drinks, and the consumption of sugary drinks contributes to weight gain. The consumption of sugary drinks is a main contributor to poor dental health and to overweight, which cost the NHS £ 3.4 billon and £ 4.7 billion a year in England alone (Public Health England, 2014). Especially given the recent media attention, many consumers are aware of the health implications of sugary drinks, but struggle to successfully reduce their intake. Therefore, it is important to understand what underlies the motivation for sugary drinks, and how we can effectively assist consumers in replacing sugary drinks with healthier alternatives such as water.

We propose that sugary drinks gain their attractiveness through consumption and reward simulations. In other words, when people see or think about a sugary drink, they spontaneously simulate (i.e., re-experience) the sensation and the reward of consuming it, such as its taste, the resulting energy boost, and the quenching of thirst, based on their previous, rewarding experiences. These simulations trigger a desire to consume sugary drinks, particularly when feeling thirsty. Although evidence exists for the role of such simulations in the motivation for food, no previous studies have applied this account to drinks. Our research will first systematically test this simulation account of the motivation for sugary drinks, and then use it to stimulate healthier choices in innovative ways.

In Subproject 1, we will investigate the specific simulations that are triggered by sugary drinks and by water. Building on recent pilot data that we have collected, we expect that sugary drinks will trigger more consumption and reward simulations ("cold", "fizzy", "tasty", "refreshing") than water, particularly among high consumers of sugary drinks, and particularly when thirsty. In Subproject 2, we will link these consumption and reward simulations to the motivation to consume sugary drinks and water. To this end, we will use a novel method to assess motivation unobtrusively: we will measure the degree to which participants slightly lean forward on a Wii balance board when viewing images of drinks. Such subtle approach movements have been shown to reflect motivation and desire. We predict that more consumption and reward simulations will be associated with leaning forward more toward sugary drinks images, especially among high consumers of sugary drinks and especially when thirsty.

Finally, in Subproject 3, we will use these findings to develop an intervention approach to help consumers replace sugary drinks with water. Typically, advertisements for sugary drinks focus heavily on consumption and reward, whereas advertisements for water focus on purity and...

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

• construct waves of accessible and well-documented panel data;
• provide these data in a convenient and timely fashion to the scientific and policy research community;
• describe health trajectories, disability and healthy life expectancy in a representative sample of the English population aged 50 and over;
• examine the relationship between economic position and health;
• nvestigate the determinants of economic position in older age;
• describe the timing of retirement and post-retirement labour market activity; and
• understand the relationships between social support, household structure and the transfer of assets.

Further information may be found on the the ELSA project website or the Natcen Social Research: ELSA web pages.

Health conditions research with ELSA - June 2021

The ELSA Data team have found some issues with historical data measuring health conditions. If you are intending to do any analysis looking at the following health conditions, then please contact the ELSA Data team at NatCen on elsadata@natcen.ac.uk for advice on how you should approach your analysis. The affected conditions are: eye conditions (glaucoma; diabetic eye disease; macular degeneration; cataract), CVD conditions (high blood pressure; angina; heart attack; Congestive Heart Failure; heart murmur; abnormal heart rhythm; diabetes; stroke; high cholesterol; other heart trouble) and chronic health conditions (chronic lung disease; asthma; arthritis; osteoporosis; cancer; Parkinson's Disease; emotional, nervous or psychiatric problems; Alzheimer's Disease; dementia; malignant blood disorder; multiple sclerosis or motor neurone disease).

Special Licence Data:

Special Licence Access versions of ELSA have more restrictive access conditions than versions available under the standard End User Licence (see 'Access' section below). Users are advised to obtain the latest edition of SN 5050 (the End User Licence version) before making an application for Special Licence data, to see whether that is suitable for their needs. A separate application must be made for each Special Licence study.

Special Licence Access versions of ELSA include:

• Primary data from Wave 8 onwards (SN 8346) includes all the variables in the EUL primary dataset (SN 5050) as well as year and month of birth, consolidated ethnicity and country of birth, marital status, and more detailed medical history variables.
• Wave 8 Pension Age Data (SN 8375) includes all the variables in the EUL pension age data (SN 5050) as well as year and age reached state pension age variables.
• Wave 8 Sexual Self-Completion Data (SN 8376) includes sensitive variables from the sexual self-completion questionnaire.
• Wave 3 (2007) Harmonized Life History (SN 8831) includes retrospective information on previous histories, specifically, detailed data on previous partnership, children, residential, health, and work histories.
• Detailed geographical identifier files for Waves 1-10 which are grouped by identifier held under SN 8429 (Local Authority District Pre-2009 Boundaries), SN 8439 (Local Authority District Post-2009 Boundaries), SN 8430 (Local Authority Type Pre-2009 Boundaries), SN 8441 (Local Authority Type Post-2009 Boundaries), SN 8431 (Quintile Index of Multiple Deprivation Score), SN 8432 (Quintile Population Density for Postcode Sectors), SN 8433 (Census 2001 Rural-Urban Indicators), SN 8437 (Census 2011 Rural-Urban Indicators).

Where boundary changes have occurred, the geographic identifier has been split into two separate studies to reduce the risk of disclosure. Users are also only allowed one version of each identifier:

• either SN 8429 (Local Authority District Pre-2009 Boundaries) or SN 8439 (Local Authority District Post-2009 Boundaries)
• either SN 8430 (Local Authority Type Pre-2009 Boundaries) or SN 8441(Local Authority Type Post-2009 Boundaries)
• either SN 8433 (Census 2001 Rural-Urban Indicators) or SN 8437 (Census 2011 Rural-Urban Indicators)

ELSA Wave 6 and Wave 8 Self-Completion Questionnaires included an open-ended question where respondents could add any other comments they may wish to note down. These responses have been transcribed and anonymised. Researchers can request access to these transcribed responses for research purposes by contacting the...

The Listening to Young Lives at Work: COVID-19 Phone Survey Calls 1-5 Constructed Files, 2020-2021 includes variables collected consistently across the 5 phone calls. One main constructed data file is available for each of the four countries. These are presented in a panel format and contain 96 original and constructed variables, with the majority comparable across all five calls.

Users should refer to documentation available for the main Listening to Young Lives at Work: COVID-19 Phone Survey studies available under SN 8678 (Calls 1-3) and SN 9008 (Calls 4-5). A user guide for this study will be added at a later date.

As of April 2022, the government of the United Kingdom has dispatched over 1.95 million laptop or tablet devices to local authorities or education providers in England in order to support remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic. This scheme initially started to provide laptops and tablets to schools in May 2020 during the Summer term of the 2019/20 academic year and was expanded significantly at the start of 2021, increasing from 562 thousand in December 2020 to more than one million two months later in February 2021.

Additional file 5: Table S4. Underlying plot data for figures 2 – 9. HR – Hazard Ratio, CI – Confidence Interval.

This project aimed to explore the impacts of Covid-19 on the food system in England. It was funded by the ESRC via the UKRI call for urgent Covid-19 research. The project convened an expert panel of industry and policy experts to share the impacts of Covid-19 on different parts of the food system. We interviewed those working in the industry. Our monthly bulletins highlighted both good practice and areas of concern as we work towards a resilient and fair food system in the crisis. A survey of food businesses in November-December 2020. The data comprises 87 responses to questionnaire survey. The survey explored the impacts of Covid on food businesses.

From panic buying to shortages, real or perceived, COVID-19 is leaving its mark on the food system. Whilst media attention has been on retail, the shock has also been felt in the food manufacture, processing, packaging and distribution sectors. In the first weeks of lock-down there have been cases of milk companies cancelling contracts with farmers but other companies have experienced increased demand from supermarket outlets. Fishermen have seen the demand for seafood from the restaurant trade in the UK and the EU dry up. Some are seeking to establish new retail outlets such as home delivery, others are reported not to be fishing. We need to know very rapidly how the supply chain for dairy, fish, flour, fruit and vegetables, and meat is adapting. Critically, what steps might be required to ensure food continues to reach shops and that there is fairness for food workers and for consumers? We will work with a panel of experts to gain and share information about food supplies, and we will interview those working in the industry. Our monthly bulletins will highlight both good practice and areas of concern as we work towards a resilient and fair food system in the crisis.

In the UK, the number of daily active users (DAU) of Zoom reached a peak of roughly 1.7 million towards the end of November, 2020. The video communications app saw the start of a huge increase in its DAU around the same time that the coronavirus outbreak hit the UK, as more and more people took part in virtual meetings for work, as well as for socializing with family and friends. This is according to data from Airnow.

Boohoo is an online-only fashion retailer popular with young consumers. During the coronavirus lockdown when non-essential retail stores were shut down, Boohoo plc's revenue soared compared to the same period in the previous year. In the United Kingdom (UK), the retailer generated 183 million British pounds. The group's total revenue for the three month period to May 31, 2020 was 367.9 million British pounds, representing an increase of 45 percent on the year prior.

In 2020, approximately 5.6 million people worked mainly from home in the United Kingdom, an increase of around 1.69 million people when compared with 1998, when just 2.9 million workers mainly worked from home. As a share of all workers in the United Kingdom, this was the equivalent of 17.4 percent of the UK workforce, compared with 14.2 percent in 1998. Rise of the hybrid workforce More recent figures on working location trends in Great Britain, indicate that as of June 2024, around 14 percent of workers had worked from home exclusively in the last seven days, with a further 41 percent only travelling to work. Just over a quarter of British workers, however, had both worked from home and travelled to work in the last seven days. Although less common than only travelling to work, hybrid working has generally been more popular than only working at home since around Spring 2022, and is possibly one of the most enduring impacts that COVID-19 had on the labor market. Demographics of homeworkers While advancements in internet connectivity and communication software have enabled more people to work from home than ever before, there are still obvious disparities in the share of homeworkers by industry. Over half of the UK’s agriculture workforce in 2020 regularly worked from home, compared with just 5.6 percent of those that worked in accommodation or food service. In the same year, the region with the highest share of people working from home was South West England at 18.3 percent, while Northern Ireland had the lowest at just 9.4 percent.

The full text of this article can be freely accessed on the publisher's website.

Attendance at museums sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in England rose significantly in 2022/2023 compared to the previous year. Despite the sharp increase, the number of visitors remained below the figures recorded before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Between April 2022 and March 2023, the Tate Gallery Group reported the highest attendance among the DCMS-sponsored museums in England, with just under six million visitors.

M proteins play a critical role in protein-protein interactions (as well as protein-RNA interactions) since virus-like particle (VLP) formation in many coronavirus requires only the M and envelope (E) proteins for efficient virion assembly . The M protein or E1 glycoprotein is implicated in virus assembly . The E1 viral membrane protein is required for formation of the viral envelope and is transported via the Golgi complex .