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9:10 PM 19th December 2024
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Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 19 December 2024


Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay
Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)’s COVID-19, influenza (flu), RSV and norovirus surveillance bulletin (formally Weekly Winter Briefing) brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for COVID-19, flu, RSV and Norovirus.

In week 50:

COVID-19 activity decreased across most indicators and was at baseline levels.
Influenza (flu) activity increased across all indicators and was at medium activity levels.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at low levels of activity.

For more information, see the:

Flu, Covid and RSV surveillance report
Norovirus surveillance report

Please note, due to the Christmas public holidays, a report will not be published in week 52. The next report will be published on Friday 3 January 2024.

COVID-19 surveillance data for week 50

COVID-19 activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at baseline levels
COVID-19 positivity in hospital settings decreased slightly with a weekly mean positivity rate of 3.4%, compared to 3.7% in the previous week
COVID-19 hospitalisations decreased to 1.48 per 100,000 compared to 1.71 per 100,000 in the previous week
COVID-19 ICU admissions remained stable at 0.06 per 100,000 compared with 0.06 per 100,000 in the previous week
There were 13 COVID-19 acute respiratory incidents reported in week 50
The highest hospital admission rate was in the South-West at 2.25 per 100,000, increasing from 1.76 per 100,000 in the previous week
Those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which remained stable at 17.05 per 100,000 compared with 17.58 in the previous week
Up to the end of week 50, 23.2% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group and 58.6% of all people aged over 65 years old, who are living and resident in England had been vaccinated with an Autumn 2024 booster dose

Flu surveillance data for week 50

Influenza activity increased across all indicators and was circulating at medium levels
Influenza positivity increased with a weekly mean positivity rate of 21.7% in week 50 compared to 17.3% 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
overall, influenza hospitalisations increased to 8.72 per 100,000, compared with 5.79 per 100,000 in the previous week.
the weekly influenza-like illnesses (ILI) General Practice (GP) consultation rate increased to 12.1 per 100,000 compared with 8.5 per 100,000 in the previous week.
for the 2024/2025 season’s vaccination programme, children and pregnant women have been eligible since 1 September, whilst clinical risk groups, older adults (those aged 65 years and over) and frontline healthcare workers have been eligible since 3 October. Up to the end of week 50, vaccine uptake stands at 37.6% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group, 33.1% in all pregnant women and 73% in all those aged 65 years and over. 40.3% of children aged 2 years of age and 41.6% of children aged 3 years of age have been vaccinated.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) surveillance data for week 50

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at low levels overall
emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis decreased
RSV positivity decreased slightly to 11.8% compared with 12.6% in the previous week
overall, hospital admissions decreased to 2.81 per 100,000 compared with 3.22 per 100,000 in the previous week

Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Public Health Programmes at the UK Health Security Agency, said:
"Flu cases and hospitalisations are continuing to increase this week so it’s vital that those eligible take up this last opportunity to book your jab through the NHS national booking system.

"The system closes after today and then you will only be able to get the vaccine through GPs and pharmacies during their festive opening hours.

"There are other ways you can protect friends and family over the holiday season. If you are showing symptoms of flu or COVID-19 such as a high temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable. Washing your hands regularly and using tissues can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses."


Norovirus surveillance data for week 49

this season, the increase in reporting has begun earlier than usual, with norovirus activity in the 2-week period between 25 November to 8 December was 20.5% higher than the previous 2-week period. Total reports were almost double the 5-season average (95.5%) for the same 2-week period
Norovirus reporting remained high across all regions of England and all age groups, with the highest number of reports in adults aged 65 years and over
Rotavirus reporting has increased in recent weeks but was within expected levels during the 2-week period of weeks 48 and 49
The number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2024/2025 season is 23.7% higher than the 5-season average
while some of the increased reporting may be attributable to the increased use of PCR multiplex technology (capable of detecting multiple gastrointestinal pathogens in one test), it is likely that the emergence of an unusual norovirus genotype, GII.17, as well as changes in the epidemiology following the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors are contributing to the observed rise
during the 2024/2025 season to date, the majority (89.1%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII), of which the most frequently identified genotype was GII.17 (62.2%), an increase of this genotype has also been observed in other counties during 2024 and is being closely monitored - at present there is no indication it leads to more severe illness (note: it isn’t accurate to refer to GII.17 as ‘Kawasaki’ and this term is causing confusion with Kawasaki Disease, which is an unrelated disease)
lab reports represent just a small proportion of total norovirus cases and it has been estimated that for every case of norovirus reported to national surveillance in the UK there are about 288 in the community that go unreported, representing an annual burden of around 3 million cases
Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs - Norovirus infection 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 during that time.

Amy Douglas, Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said:
"Norovirus cases remain high, with the latest numbers remaining the highest reported at this time of year in a decade.

"If you’ve caught the virus, take steps to avoid passing on the infection this festive season. The very young, elderly and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk of suffering more serious illness from norovirus. If you have diarrhoea and/or vomiting, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent spreading the infection in these settings.

"If you are unwell, 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. 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."