The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published its latest national influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report, which includes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) data, showing that COVID-19 activity decreased across most indicators over the Christmas period.
As reported in the latest Winter COVID-19 Infection Study (WCIS) data, estimated prevalence fell to 3.1% (one in 32 people) across England and Scotland in the 2 weeks to 3 January, down from 4.2% (one in 24 people) in the two weeks to 13 December.
In this week’s surveillance report, data on JN.1, a sub lineage of BA 2.86, are reported, and this designation has been applied retrospectively to previous weeks’ data. This variant is estimated to be currently responsible for 60% of cases in England.
SARS-CoV-2 positivity decreased slightly to 9.9% in week 1 of 2024 compared to 10.2% in the previous week. This refers to the 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 decreased, with decreases observed in some age groups, regions, and ethnic groups in week 1. The total number of reported SARS-CoV-2 confirmed acute respiratory incidents in week 1 remained stable compared to the previous week, with 51 incidents reported in England during week 1. Overall, COVID-19 hospitalisations decreased to 4.9 per 100,000 in week 1 compared to 5.2 per 100,000 in the previous week. COVID-19 ICU admissions also decreased in week 1 compared to the previous week.
A total of 7,840,192 people aged 65 years and over in England have been vaccinated with an autumn 2023 COVID-19 booster dose since 1 September 2023, totalling 70.2% of that population.
Influenza activity decreased across some indicators, including hospital admissions, but increased in others. Influenza positivity decreased to 9.6% in week 1 compared to 12.1% in the previous week. This refers to the percentage of people who test positive among those with symptoms tested at sentinel 'spotter' laboratories, reported through the Respiratory DataMart surveillance system.
Through primary care surveillance, the influenza-like-illness (ILI) consultations indicator increased to 7.5 per 100,000 in week 1 compared to 4.9 per 100,000 the previous week and remained within the baseline activity level range.
Dr Alexander Allen, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “It’s promising that we see a decline in both flu hospital admissions and COVID-19, but this may be partly down to how people mix and seek health services differently over the Christmas period. Some indicators show that flu cases in the community are on the rise, so we are not out of flu season just yet.”
RSV activity has decreased but is still circulating. The overall positivity (among people with symptoms tested at sentinel ‘spotter’ laboratories) decreased to 4.5%, with the highest positivity in those aged under five years at 10.5%.