Flu and COVID-19 report offers latest surveillance data and public health advice

Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLMJul 21 2023

Latest update

This fortnightly flu and COVID-19 report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.

COVID-19 surveillance up until end of week 28

COVID-19 case rates have slightly increased this week compared to our previous report: 3.7% of 4,403 respiratory specimens reported through the Respiratory DataMart System were identified as COVID-19, compared to 3.6% of 4,535 from the previous report.

The overall COVID-19 hospital admission rate for week 28 was 1.17 per 100,000 population, an increase from 0.8 per 100,000 in the previous report.

ICU admission rates have increased to 0.07 compared to 0.04 in the previous report.

Those aged 85 and over continue to have the highest hospital admission rates. These have increased to 9.8 per 100,000 from 8.61 per 100,000 in the previous report.

Admission rates among those aged 75 to 84 have increased to 5.54 per 100,000 from 4.74 in the previous report.

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist for Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:

COVID-19 cases and hospital admission rates remain at low levels, though have risen very slightly in the past 2 weeks. We will continue to monitor these rates closely.

The NHS will be in contact in autumn 2023 when the seasonal vaccine is available for those who are eligible due to health conditions or age. Remember that the virus can cause serious illness, especially for those who are older or immunosuppressed, so we urge everyone who is offered to take up the vaccine when offered."

Previous

Thursday 6 July 2023

This fortnightly flu and COVID-19 report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.

COVID-19 surveillance up until end of week 26

COVID-19 case rates have decreased this week compared to our previous report. 3.6% of 4,535 respiratory specimens reported through the Respiratory DataMart System were identified as COVID-19.

Hospital admissions and ICU admission rates have continued to decrease. The overall COVID-19 hospital admission rate for week 26 was 0.8 per 100,000 population, a decrease from 2.03 per 100,000 the previous report.

Those aged 85 years and over continue to have the highest hospital admission rates, though these have continued to decline this week to 8.61 per 100,000 from 22.4 per 100,000 in the previous report. Admission rates among those aged 75 to 84 years have declined to 4.74 per 100,000 from 10.06 in the previous report.

ICU admission rates continue to decrease to 0.04 compared to 0.07 in our previous report.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said:

COVID-19 rates remain low, but those who are older or immunosuppressed are still at risk of being admitted to hospital.

As we enter July, the spring booster offer has now closed. The seasonal COVID-19 vaccine will return in autumn 2023. If your NHS record suggests you may be eligible due to your health condition or age, the NHS will be in contact with you to let you know when you can take up this offer.

Those who have developed a new health condition or started treatment that severely weakens your immune system, as well as children aged 6 months to 4 years who are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 may still be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. We'd recommend speaking with your specialist for more information."

Thursday 22 June 2023

This fortnightly flu and COVID-19 report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.

COVID-19 surveillance up until end of week 24

COVID-19 case rates have continued to decrease this week. Of 5,708 respiratory specimens reported through the Respiratory DataMart System, 4.2% were identified as COVID-19.

The overall COVID-19 hospital admission rate for week 24 was 2.03 per 100,000 population, a decrease from 2.3 per 100,000 the previous week.

Those aged 85 years and over continue to have the highest hospital admission rates, though these have continued to decline this week to 22.4 per 100,000 from 27.5 per 100,000 the previous week. Admission rates among those aged 75 to 84 years have declined to 10.06 per 100,000 from 10.3 the previous week.

ICU admission rates continue to decrease to 0.07 compared to 0.09 in week 23.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said:

While COVID-19 rates continue to be low, the virus is still in circulation. Those who are older or immunosuppressed are still at higher risk of being admitted to hospital.

Everyone aged 75 and over, and those aged 5 and over with weakened immune systems, can top up their immunity with a spring booster. As we approach the final days of June, remember that the booster offer will close at the end of this month. There are still a few days left to book your booster through NHS online or by calling 119."

Thursday 8 June 2023

This fortnightly flu and COVID-19 report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.

COVID-19 surveillance up until end of week 22

COVID-19 case rates decreased in week 22 across all age groups, ethnic groups and all regions. Data from Respiratory Datamart suggests that SARS-CoV-2 positivity decreased to 5.0%.

The overall COVID-19 hospital admission rate for week 22 was 2.5 per 100,000 population, a decrease from 3.2 per 100,000 the previous week.

Those aged 85 and over continue to have the highest hospital admission rates, though these have continued to decline this week to 25.2 per 100,000 from 34.6 per 100,000 the previous week. Admission rates among those aged 75 to 84 have declined to 12.3 per 100,000 from 16.2 the previous week.

ICU admission rates continue to decrease to 0.11 compared to 0.16 in week 21.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:

Although overall rates are low, COVID-19 is still in circulation and those who are older or immunosuppressed are still at higher risk of being admitted to hospital.

Everyone aged 75 and over, and those aged 5 and over with weakened immune systems, can top up their immunity with a spring booster. Remember that the booster offer ends at the end of June, so book in now if you've still not taken it up before it's too late."

Thursday 25 May

This weekly flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.

Influenza rates continue to be within baseline activity levels.

COVID-19 surveillance up until end of week 20

COVID-19 case rates decreased in week 20 across most age groups, ethnic groups and all regions. Data from Respiratory Datamart suggests that SARS-CoV-2 positivity decreased to 5.9% compared to 6.6% in the previous week.

The overall COVID-19 hospital admission rate for week 20 was 3.25 per 100,000 population, a decrease from 3.99 per 100,000 the previous week.

Those aged 85 years and over continue to have the highest hospital admission rates, though these have continued to decline this week to 36.30 per 100,000 from 48.18 per 100,000 the previous week. Admission rates among those aged 75 to 84 years have declined to 15.96 per 100,000 from 20.57 the previous week.

ICU admission rates continue to decrease to 0.11 compared to 0.12 in week 19.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:

Although overall rates continue to decline, COVID-19 is still in circulation and those who are more vulnerable are still being admitted to hospital.

Everyone aged 75 years and over, and those aged 5 years and over with weakened immune systems, can top up their immunity with a spring COVID-19 booster and I encourage them to take up the offer now."

Thursday 18 May

This weekly flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.

Influenza rates continue to be within baseline activity levels.

COVID-19 surveillance up until end of week 19

COVID-19 case rates decreased in week 19 in all age groups, ethnic groups and most regions. Data from Respiratory Datamart suggests that SARS-CoV-2 positivity decreased to 6.7% compared to 7.1% in the previous week.

The overall COVID-19 hospital admission rate for week 19 was 3.86 per 100,000 population, a decrease from 4.39 per 100,000 the previous week.

Those aged 85 years and over continue to have the highest hospital admission rates, though these have continued to decline this week. Admission rates among those aged 75 to 84 years have declined to 20.51 per 100,000 from 22.49 the previous week, and rates in those aged over 85 years have declined to 46.37 per 100,000 from 52.82 per 100,000 the previous week.

ICU admission rates continue to decrease to 0.12 compared to 0.14 in week 18.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:

The spring COVID-19 booster is currently available for all those aged 75 and over, and those aged 5 years and over with weakened immune systems.

I urge everyone who is eligible to come forward and top up their immunity, particularly as we continue to see hospital admissions in people aged 75 years and over who catch the virus."