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 | Yorkshire Times A Voice of the Free Press |
8:30 AM 23rd November 2024
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Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 21 November 2024
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Image by Willgard Krause from Pixabay
In week 46:
COVID-19 activity decreased across most indicators and was at baseline levels.
Influenza activity increased across some indicators but remained within baseline activity levels
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity increased and was circulating at medium levels of activity, with increases seen in most age groups
flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report
Norovirus surveillance report
COVID-19 surveillance data for week 46
In week 46:
COVID-19 activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at baseline levels
COVID-19 hospitalisations decreased to 1.82 per 100,000 compared to 2.19 per 100,000 in the previous week
COVID-19 ICU admissions remained stable at 0.07 per 100,000 compared with 0.07 per 100,000 in the previous week
there were 15 COVID-19 acute respiratory incidents reported in week 46
the highest hospital admission rate was in the North-East at 3.42 per 100,000, decreasing from 3.94 per 100,000 in the previous week
those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which decreased to 19.25 per 100,000 compared with 21.99 in the previous week
up to the end of week 46, 20.9% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group and 54.2% of all people aged over 65 years old, who are living and resident in England had been vaccinated with an Autumn 2024 booster dose
a technical issue has prevented UKHSA from processing the data used to provide the percentage of tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 among all reported SARS-CoV-2 tests. Work is underway to resolve the issue and resume reporting as soon as possible
Flu surveillance data for week 46
In week 46:
nfluenza activity increased across some indicators and was circulating at baseline levels
influenza positivity increased with a weekly mean positivity rate of 3.9% in week 46 compared to 3.3% 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 1.28 per 100,000, compared with 1.05 per 100,000 in the previous week
the weekly influenza-like illnesses (ILI) General Practice (GP) consultation rate remained stable at 3.7 per 100,000 compared with 3.8 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 46, vaccine uptake stands at:
33.4% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group
30.1% in all pregnant women
68.7% in all those aged 65 years and over
36.9% of children aged 2 years of age
37.6% of children aged 3 years of age
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) surveillance data for week 46
In week 46:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity increased further and was circulating above baseline levels overall, with increases now seen in most age groups
emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis increased slightly
RSV positivity increased to 12.1% compared with 9.3% in the previous week
overall, hospital admissions increased to 3.14 per 100,000 compared with 2.07 per 100,000 in the previous week
"RSV is now circulating at higher levels across most age groups, with emergency departments seeing an increase in acute bronchiolitis among children. Flu has also increased this week and we expect to see all respiratory illnesses increasing further over the winter.
"For the first time this year, vaccination is being offered against RSV as well as for flu and COVID-19. Ahead of the peaks expected this season, those eligible are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as it offers the best protection heading into winter."
Background:
For the first time this year, vaccination is being offered against RSV for anyone who is 28 or more weeks pregnant to protect their baby, along with people aged 75 to 79 years.
Ahead of the peak season, those eligible for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines are also reminded to get vaccinated as it offers the best protection heading into winter.
As we are now seeing more emergency department attendances caused by RSV, it’s important to know how to spot the signs. Some of the main symptoms of a serious infection due to RSV include a cough that gets worse, shortness of breath and difficulty feeding. You should seek medical help if you’re worried your child is seriously unwell and further advice can be found on the NHS website. 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.
Since 1 September 2024, pregnant women have been offered RSV vaccination around the time of their 28 week antenatal appointment. Having the vaccine in week 28 or within a few weeks of this will help build a good level of antibodies to pass on to their baby before birth. This will give the newborn baby the best protection, including if they are born early. Those who turn 75 and those age 75 to 79 are also eligible for a free NHS vaccine to protect them from RSV.
Norovirus surveillance data for week 45:
Norovirus activity has remained high in recent weeks. Since a drop in weeks 43 and 44, which coincided with the October half-term school holidays in England, norovirus reporting started to increase again in week 45.
Rotavirus reporting has started to increase in recent weeks but was within expected levels during the 2-week period of weeks 44 and 45.
The number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2024/2025 season is 5% higher than the 5-season average.
It is likely that multiple factors are contributing to the observed increase in laboratory reports, such as ongoing changes to the epidemiology following the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in testing and reporting to national surveillance.
During the 2024/2025 season to date, the majority (89%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII), of which the most frequently identified genotype was GII.17 (67%). An increase of this variant 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. It isn’t accurate to refer to G11.17 as ‘Kawasaki’ and this term is causing confusion with Kawasaki Disease, which is an unrelated disease.
Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections 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.
"Norovirus cases are on the rise again as we head into winter.
"Take steps to avoid passing the infection on. If you have diarrhoea and/or vomiting, 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."