Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 22 February 2024

The latest Flu and COVID-19 surveillance report, which includes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) data and the national norovirus and rotavirus surveillance report, has been published along with the latest public health advice.

Flu surveillance data for week 7

Influenza activity decreased across most indicators.

Influenza positivity decreased to 8.9% in week 7 compared to 12.3% in the previous week. This is based on a percentage of people who test positive among those with symptoms tested at sentinel ‘spotter’ laboratories, reported through the Respiratory DataMart surveillance system.

Through primary care surveillance, the influenza-like-illness (ILI) consultations indicator decreased to 7.6 per 100,000 in week 7 compared to 9.1 per 100,000 in the previous week and remained within the baseline activity level range.

Through the SIREN healthcare cohort study, the influenza positivity remained stable in week 7 compared to the previous week.

The total number of confirmed influenza acute respiratory incidents decreased compared to the previous week, with 29 incidents reported in England during week 7.

Overall, influenza hospitalisations decreased to 4.27 per 100,000 in week 7 compared to 5.39 per 100,000 in the previous week and remained in the medium impact range.

Intensive care unit (ICU) or high dependency unit (HDU) admissions decreased compared to the previous week and returned to the baseline impact range, while emergency department (ED) attendances for ILI decreased overall.

COVID-19 surveillance data for week 7

COVID-19 activity decreased across most indicators and continues to circulate at low levels.

SARS-CoV-2 positivity decreased to 4.9% in week 7 compared to 6.3% in the previous week. This is based on a percentage of people who test positive among those with symptoms tested at sentinel ‘spotter’ laboratories, reported through the Respiratory DataMart surveillance system.

Through the SIREN healthcare cohort study, the SARS-CoV-2 positivity decreased in week 7 compared to the previous week.

COVID-19 case rates and positivity in Pillar 1 decreased overall and within most age groups, regions, and ethnic groups in week 7.

Overall, COVID-19 hospitalisations decreased to 3.00 per 100,000 in week 7 compared to 3.60 per 100,000 in the previous week.

COVID-19 ICU admissions remained low and decreased to 0.09 per 100,000 in week 7.

The highest hospital admission rate is currently in West Midlands at 4.35 per 100,000.

Among age groups, those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which decreased to 30.14 per 100,000. Most other age groups saw a decrease.

Details of the Spring 2024 COVID-19 vaccination programme will be confirmed soon by NHS England and will be offered to those who are aged 75 years and over and residents in a care home for older adults.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Public Health Programmes at UKHSA, said:
"In the past week levels of COVID-19 and flu have decreased. It is encouraging to see flu activity falling but it is still flu season and many people still need hospital care for flu complications.

"You can still get flu vaccine if you are eligible – in particular many pregnant women, and those with a long-term health conditions have yet to come forward this year. I encourage these people to contact their local pharmacist or GP surgery as soon as they can.

"Catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue and washing your hands regularly are two simple actions we can all take to prevent the spread of viruses like flu and COVID-19. If you’re meeting people indoors, having a window open will let fresh air circulate within the room.

"If you are showing symptoms like a high temperature, cough, and feeling tired and achy, you should try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are more vulnerable. If you do need to go out, consider wearing a mask."

Norovirus surveillance data for week 6

While reports of enteric virus (EV) outbreaks have been increasing, the total number of EV outbreaks reported during weeks 5 and 6 of 2024 remained 26% lower than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period. The majority of outbreaks were reported in care home settings.

Norovirus activity has decreased in recent weeks but laboratory reports in weeks 5 and 6 of 2024 were 25% higher than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period. However, they were within the overall historical range reported in the decade before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please note the 5-season average is calculated from the same time period in the following seasons which excludes the COVID-19 pandemic period: 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2022/2023.

Amy Douglas, Norovirus Epidemiologist at UKHSA said:
"Reports of norovirus have decreased in recent weeks but still remain high. Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus could cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.

"If you have got diarrhoea and vomiting, you can take steps to avoid passing the infection on. Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others in that time either. If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.

"Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone."


RSV surveillance data for week 7

Overall RSV activity continues to decrease.

The overall positivity (among people with symptoms tested at sentinel ‘spotter’ laboratories) decreased to 0.8%, with the highest positivity in those aged under 5 years at 1.8%.