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 | Lancashire Times Weekend Edition |
4:58 PM 28th November 2024
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Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 28 November 2024
In week 47:
COVID-19 activity remained stable across most indicators and was at baseline levels
Influenza (flu) activity increased across most indicators and reached low activity levels
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity increased and was circulating at medium levels of activity, with increases seen in most age groups
For more information, see the:
flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report
Norovirus surveillance report
COVID-19 surveillance data for week 47
In week 47:
COVID-19 activity remained stable across most indicators and was circulating at baseline levels
COVID-19 hospitalisations remained stable at 1.82 per 100,000 compared to 1.78 per 100,000 in the previous week
COVID-19 ICU admissions remained stable at 0.05 per 100,000 compared with 0.07 per 100,000 in the previous week
there were 9 COVID-19 acute respiratory incidents reported in week 47
the highest hospital admission rate was in the North-East at 2.40 per 100,000, decreasing from 3.42 per 100,000 in the previous week
those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which remained stable at 17.97 per 100,000 compared with 18.91 per 100,000 in the previous week
up to the end of week 47, 21.7% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group and 55.9% 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 47
In week 47:
influenza activity increased across most indicators and reached low activity levels
influenza positivity increased with a weekly mean positivity rate of 6.5% in week 47 compared to 3.9% 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 1.81 per 100,000, compared with 1.21 per 100,000 in the previous week
the weekly influenza-like illnesses (ILI) General Practice (GP) consultation rate increased to 4.5 per 100,000 compared with 3.7 per 100,000 in the previous week
for the 2024 to 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 47, vaccine uptake stands at 34.8% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group, 31.1% in all pregnant women and 70.3% in all those aged 65 years and over. 38.2% of children aged 2 years of age and 39.1% of children aged 3 years of age have been vaccinated
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) surveillance data for week 47
In week 47:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity increased further and was circulating at medium levels overall, with increases seen in most age groups
emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis increased
RSV positivity increased slightly to 13.8% compared with 11.7% in the previous week
overall, hospital admissions increased to 3.78 per 100,000 compared with 3.04 per 100,000 in the previous week
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](Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - NHS.
"Flu is the cause of the rise in winter illnesses that we’ve seen in the past week, with emergency department attendances also increasing. Anyone still eligible for the flu, COVID-19 or RSV vaccines should get booked in ahead of the busy winter period, when we expect flu, and other respiratory viruses to spread between people more easily. Vaccination offers the best defense against these diseases, and now is the time to get protected before Christmas.
"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.
"RSV also continues to circulate at higher levels, with increases now seen across all age groups. For the first time this year, we are able to offer an RSV vaccination to anyone who is 28 or more weeks pregnant, along with people aged 75 to 79 years."
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 46
In week 46:
Norovirus activity is now increasing again across all age groups, with the biggest increase in adults, particularly adults aged 65 years and over
Norovirus activity in the 2-week period between 4 to 17 November 2024 was 31.6% higher than the previous 2-week period. Total reports were almost double the 5-season average for the same 2-week period
Rotavirus reporting has started to increase in recent weeks but was within expected levels during the 2-week period of weeks 45 and 46
The number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2024/2025 season is 19.4% 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%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII), of which the most frequently identified genotype was GII.17 (66.3%). 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
Lab reports represent just a small proportion of total norovirus cases. 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 case
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
"We continue to see high levels of norovirus circulating in our communities. If you’ve caught the virus, take steps to avoid passing the infection on. If you have diarrhoea 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."