Britons more anxious about Covid than at any time since April

Anxiety levels among Britons have reached their highest level since April as fears about a second Covid wave grow, Government data shows.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) analysed levels of anxiety between September 30 and October 4 and found they had increased to the highest level since the peak of the pandemic. 

In its weekly release on the social impacts of the virus, the ONS published data related to average anxiety scores.

It found the average anxiety score for all adults increased to 4.3 this week – the highest figure since April 3 to 13, when it stood at 4.9. 

More than three in 10 (36 per cent) adults reported high anxiety levels – a score of six or above – rising to more than four in 10 (43 per cent) if they have a health condition.

Of those who said their well-being has been affected by coronavirus, 63 per cent said they felt stressed or anxious, with 64 per cent saying they were worried about the future.

Average scores for life satisfaction (6.9), life feeling worthwhile (7.4) and feeling happiness yesterday (6.9) stood at similar levels to last week.

The figures come as Sir Jeremy Farrar, a member of the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), warned that “we are close to or at events and choices of March 13-23” as Covid infections continue to increase.

Sir Jeremy was referring to Boris Johnson’s decision to order people to stay at home as Britain went into lockdown on March 23.

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