Heterosexuals were also far more likely to be diagnosed late, meaning damage to the immune system has already begun. This makes the number of diagnoses among heterosexuals passing gay and bisexual men even more significant. HIV testing by sexual health services among heterosexuals during 2020 fell by a third (33%), compared to a 7% decrease among gay and bisexual men. The news highlights the changing shape of the domestic HIV epidemic despite a drop in testing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Half of all new HIV diagnoses were in heterosexuals (49%) in England in 2020, compared to 45% in gay and bisexual men. For the first time in a decade, the number of new HIV diagnoses among heterosexuals is higher than for gay and bisexual men, according to new figures for England from the UK Health Security Agency.
