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 | North East Post A Voice of the Free Press |
10:26 AM 19th January 2024
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Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 18 January 2024
Photo by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash
COVID-19 surveillance data for week 2
COVID-19 activity decreased across most indicators.
SARS-CoV-2 positivity decreased slightly to 9.1% in week 2 compared to 9.6% in the previous week. This refers to the percentage of people who test positive among those with symptoms tested at sentinel “spotter” laboratories, reported through the Respiratory DataMart surveillance system.
COVID-19 case rates and positivity in Pillar 1 decreased, with decreases observed in some age groups, regions, and ethnic groups in week 2.
The total number of reported SARS-CoV-2 confirmed acute respiratory incidents in week 2 remained stable compared to the previous week, with 46 incidents reported in England during week 2.
Overall, COVID-19 hospitalisations decreased to 4.6 per 100,000 in week 2 compared to 4.9 per 100,000 in the previous week.
COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions increased slightly in week 2 compared to the previous week.
The highest hospital admission rate is currently in North West at 6.48 per 100,000. Most regions experienced a decrease in hospital admission rates this week.
Among age groups, those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which remained stable at 52.99 per 100,000. Decreases were also observed in all other age groups.
A total 7,845,695 people aged 65 years and over in England have been vaccinated with an autumn 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose since 1 September 2023, totalling 70.3% of that population.
The latest data published by the World Health Organization estimates that the COVID-19 vaccination programme saved around 400,000 lives in England up to March 2023.
Flu surveillance data for week 2
In week 2, influenza activity increased slightly across most indicators.
Influenza positivity increased to 10.0% in week 2 compared to 9.7% in the previous week. This refers to the 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 increased slightly to 8.0 per 100,000 in week 2 compared to 7.5 per 100,000 in the previous week and remained within the baseline activity level range.
There were 34 influenza confirmed acute respiratory incidents reported in England in week 2.
Overall, influenza hospitalisations increased slightly to 4.35 per 100,000 in week 2 compared to 4.21 per 100,000 in the previous week and remained in the medium impact range.
ICU or HDU admissions decreased compared to the previous week and was in the baseline impact range. Emergency department (ED) attendances for ILI decreased nationally.
The provisional proportion of people in England who have received the 2023 to 2024 influenza vaccine in targeted groups is as follows:
77.3% in all aged 65 years and over; vaccine uptake is lower compared to the equivalent week in the 2022 to 2023 season
43.8% in all those aged 3 years, which is comparable compared to the equivalent week in the 2022 to 2023 season
43.4% in all those aged 2 years, which is higher compared to the equivalent week in the 2022 to 2023 season
40.6% in those aged under 65 years in a clinical risk group, which is lower compared to the equivalent week in the 2022 to 2023 season
31.3% in all pregnant women, which is lower compared to the equivalent week in the 2022 to 2023 season
Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Public Health Programmes at UKHSA, said:
"This week there has been a slight increase in flu levels but a continued decrease in COVID-19 rates.
"Remember, flu and COVID-19 spread more easily during the colder months as we spend more time indoors. If you are showing symptoms of a respiratory illness, try to reduce your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable.
"It is less than two weeks until this season’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign closes. If you are eligible, you can still get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19. Some local pharmacies continue to offer flu and walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations for free on the NHS. Children aged 2 or 3 years can receive a quick and painless nasal spray flu vaccine from their GP to help protect them against flu."
"This week there has been a slight increase in flu levels but a continued decrease in COVID-19 rates.
"Remember, flu and COVID-19 spread more easily during the colder months as we spend more time indoors. If you are showing symptoms of a respiratory illness, try to reduce your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable.
"It is less than two weeks until this season’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign closes. If you are eligible, you can still get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19. Some local pharmacies continue to offer flu and walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations for free on the NHS. Children aged 2 or 3 years can receive a quick and painless nasal spray flu vaccine from their GP to help protect them against flu."
RSV surveillance data for week 2
RSV activity continues to decrease.
The overall positivity (among people with symptoms tested at sentinel ‘spotter’ laboratories) decreased to 3%, with the highest positivity in those aged under 5 years at 5.7%.
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:
"RSV cases overall are decreasing, including in children below 5 years old, but the virus is still circulating and being detected in young children and older adults admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties.
"RSV infections are usually mild but can cause breathing difficulties in babies and the elderly. Initial symptoms in infants are similar to a cold but can go on to include breathing more quickly or noisily and having difficulties feeding. For more information and advice, search for bronchiolitis on the NHS website.
"You can protect yourself and others by washing your hands regularly, using a tissue to catch coughs or sneezes and washing your hands afterwards, and staying away from others if you feel unwell. RSV is another reason why babies need protection from tobacco smoke as this is linked with more severe RSV infections."
"RSV cases overall are decreasing, including in children below 5 years old, but the virus is still circulating and being detected in young children and older adults admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties.
"RSV infections are usually mild but can cause breathing difficulties in babies and the elderly. Initial symptoms in infants are similar to a cold but can go on to include breathing more quickly or noisily and having difficulties feeding. For more information and advice, search for bronchiolitis on the NHS website.
"You can protect yourself and others by washing your hands regularly, using a tissue to catch coughs or sneezes and washing your hands afterwards, and staying away from others if you feel unwell. RSV is another reason why babies need protection from tobacco smoke as this is linked with more severe RSV infections."
Norovirus surveillance data for week 1:
Norovirus laboratory reports in weeks 52 of 2023 and 1 of 2024 were 48% higher than the 5-season average for the same period 2-week period. Reporting remains high across all age groups, but particularly in adults aged 65 and older.
The total number of Enteric Virus (EV) outbreaks reported during weeks 52 of 2023 and 1 of 2024 remained lower than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period, with the majority of outbreaks reported in care home settings.
Amy Douglas, Norovirus Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:
"The latest data show that norovirus cases were nearly 50% higher than average for this point in the season. We have also been seeing higher levels of other gastrointestinal infections, such as shiga toxin-producing E.coli.
"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 vulnerable 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."
"The latest data show that norovirus cases were nearly 50% higher than average for this point in the season. We have also been seeing higher levels of other gastrointestinal infections, such as shiga toxin-producing E.coli.
"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 vulnerable 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."