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 | Yorkshire Times A Voice of the Free Press |
7:43 AM 10th May 2024
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Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 9 May 2024
Image by Liz Masoner from Pixabay
The flu and COVID-19 surveillance report has been published at National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports: 2023 to 2024 season.
COVID-19 surveillance data for week 18
COVID-19 activity continued to increase across most indicators.
SARS-CoV-2 positivity increased to 8.6% compared with 6.8% 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.
COVID-19 case rates and positivity in Pillar 1 increased overall and within most age groups and regions, and some ethnic groups in week 18.
COVID-19 hospitalisations increased to 3.28 per 100,000 compared with 2.50 per 100,000 in the previous week.
COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions remained low and stable at 0.07 per 100,000 in week 18.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 acute respiratory incidents increased slightly compared to the previous week, with 20 incidents reported in England during week 18.
The highest hospital admission rate regionally is currently in the North West at 4.37 per 100,000.
Those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which increased to 35.14 per 100,000, with increases seen across the remaining age groups, except in those aged 15 to 24.
The spring 2024 COVID-19 vaccination programme is now live. Those eligible can visit nhs.uk/get-vaccine or can use the NHS app to book their appointment. Those without access to the internet can call 119 to book an appointment. NHS will be sending texts, emails and NHS app messages to remind those eligible to book their appointments but they do not have to wait to be contacted. Vaccination will end on 30 June 2024.
adults aged 75 years and over by 30 June 2024
residents in care homes for older adults
individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed
Flu surveillance data for week 18
Influenza activity remained stable at low levels.
Influenza positivity remained stable at 2.6% in week 18 compared with 2.5% 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.
The total number of confirmed influenza acute respiratory incidents slightly increased compared to the previous week, with 5 incidents reported in England during week 18.
Overall, influenza hospitalisations remained stable and were at low levels at 0.62 per 100,000 compared with 0.65 per 100,000 in the previous week.
The overall ICU or HDU rate for influenza was low and stable at 0.02 per 100,000 compared with 0.02 in the previous week and was within the baseline impact range.
Emergency department (ED) attendances for influenza-like-illness (ILI) remained stable.
"Once again, COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations have risen this week, so now is the time to get your COVID-19 spring vaccine if you’re eligible and haven’t already.
"The COVID-19 vaccine offers the best protection to those at risk as the virus spreads. If you’re 75 years old or older, a resident in a care home for older adults, or have a weakened immune system – book online at nhs.uk/get-vaccine or call 119 if you don’t have access to the internet. You don’t have to wait for the NHS to get in touch with you.
"If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or flu try to stay at home as it helps protect others, especially those who are more vulnerable to these viruses. If you are unable to stay at home when unwell, consider wearing a mask."
Norovirus surveillance data for weeks 14 to 17
Norovirus laboratory reports are still high for this time of year and haven’t started decreasing as we would usually expect in Spring
The total number of norovirus laboratory reports in April 2024 (weeks 14 to 17) was 75% higher than the 5-season average for the same 4-week period.
The drivers of the increase in reporting are currently being investigated and it is likely multiple factors are contributing to the rise, including but not limited to changes in the epidemiology following the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in testing and reporting to national surveillance, and the cold weather so far this spring.
While the total number of enteric virus (EV) outbreaks reported in April 2024 remained 23% lower than the 5-season average for the same period, reported outbreaks exceeded the 5-season average in week 16. The majority of outbreaks were reported in care home settings.
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.
"Norovirus levels were higher in April than we would usually see at this time of year and have been increasing. This is likely due to a combination of factors, but the colder weather we have had won’t have helped.
"Norovirus can 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.
"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."