search
date/time
 | Lancashire Times Weekend Edition |
5:53 PM 15th November 2024
scitech
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 14 November 2024
In week 45:
COVID-19 activity decreased across most indicators and was at baseline levels.
Influenza activity increased slightly across most indicators and was at baseline levels.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity increased and was circulating above baseline levels overall, driven by increases in those aged below 5 years of age.
For more information, see the:
flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report
Norovirus surveillance report.
COVID-19 surveillance data for week 45
In week 45:
COVID-19 activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at baseline levels
COVID-19 hospitalisations decreased to 2.16 per 100,000 compared to 2.74 per 100,000 in the previous week
COVID-19 ICU admissions remained stable at 0.06 per 100,000 compared with 0.10 per 100,000 in the previous week
there were 12 COVID-19 acute respiratory incidents reported in week 45
the highest hospital admission rate was in the North-East at 3.94 per 100,000, decreasing from 6.17 per 100,000 in the previous week
those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which decreased to 21.60 per 100,000 compared with 32.28 in the previous week
up to the end of week 45, 19.7% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group and 51.9% of all people aged over 65 years old, who are living and resident in England had been vaccinated with an Autumn 2024 booster dose
due to a data processing issue, the COVID-19 positivity section has not been updated this week, and will be updated in upcoming reports
Flu surveillance data for week 45
In week 45:
influenza activity increased across most indicators and was circulating at baseline levels
influenza positivity increased with a weekly mean positivity rate of 3.2% in week 45 compared to 2.8% 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
overall, influenza hospitalisations increased to 1.17 per 100,000, compared with 1.06 per 100,000 in the previous week
the weekly influenza-like illnesses (ILI) General Practice (GP) consultation rate increased slightly to 3.8 per 100,000 compared with 3.6 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 45, vaccine uptake stands at:
31.5% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group
28.7% in all pregnant women
66.6 % in all those aged 65 years and over
35.1% of children aged 2 years of age
35.7% of children aged 3 years of age
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) surveillance data for week 45
In week 45:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity increased further and was circulating above baseline levels overall, with more pronounced increases in those aged below 5 years of age
emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis increased nationally
RSV positivity increased to 9.6% compared with 6.9% in the previous week
overall, hospital admissions increased to 2.36 per 100,000 compared with 1.81 per 100,000 in the previous week
RSV continues to circulate at higher levels, particularly amongst those aged 5-years-old and under, with emergency departments seeing an increase in acute bronchiolitis. Flu has also increased this week and we expect to see all respiratory illnesses increasing over the winter.
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 44
Norovirus activity remained high in recent weeks, but decreased during weeks 43 and 44. Total reports were almost double the 5-season average for the same 2-week period
Rotavirus reporting has stabilised in recent weeks, and was within expected levels during the 2-week period of weeks 43 and 44
since the start of the 2024/2025 season, the number of norovirus outbreaks reported in hospital settings was 10% 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, or changes in testing and reporting to national surveillance
during the 2024/2025 season to date, the majority (87%) 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
nausea
vomiting
diarrhoea
a high temperature
abdominal pain
aching limbs.
Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people. If you do get ill, it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.
The half-term school break is likely to have interrupted the upward trend we’ve been seeing recently in norovirus levels, but cases are likely to rise again as we head towards Christmas.
To help reduce the spread of norovirus you can take steps to avoid passing the infection on. If you have diarrhoea and 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.