Coronavirus infections in England and Wales hit peak days before lockdown, study finds

Modelling shows majority of people who died at peak would have been infected roughly five days before measures came in

By Sarah Knapton, Science Editor of The Telegraph. Excerpt:

"Coronavirus infections in England and Wales peaked several days before the lockdown came in, a new study suggests, indicating that the draconian restrictions were not responsible for the decline in deaths and cases.

Modelling by Professor Simon Wood, of the school of mathematics at the University of Bristol, shows that the majority of people who died at the peak would have been infected roughly five days before the lockdown was introduced.

The finding is based on data which shows that the average death from coronavirus takes around 17.8 days from the onset of symptoms, while symptoms appear approximately 5.2 days after infection, making a total of 23 days.

Deaths in England and Wales peaked around April 8-9, which suggests the majority of the people who died the had become infected roughly 23 days earlier."