Latest update
This fortnightly flu and COVID-19 report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.
COVID-19 surveillance up until end of week 28
COVID-19 case rates have slightly increased this week compared to our previous report: 3.7% of 4,403 respiratory specimens reported through the Respiratory DataMart System were identified as COVID-19, compared to 3.6% of 4,535 from the previous report.
The overall COVID-19 hospital admission rate for week 28 was 1.17 per 100,000 population, an increase from 0.8 per 100,000 in the previous report.
ICU admission rates have increased to 0.07 compared to 0.04 in the previous report.
Those aged 85 and over continue to have the highest hospital admission rates. These have increased to 9.8 per 100,000 from 8.61 per 100,000 in the previous report.
Admission rates among those aged 75 to 84 have increased to 5.54 per 100,000 from 4.74 in the previous report.
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist for Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:
COVID-19 cases and hospital admission rates remain at low levels, though have risen very slightly in the past 2 weeks. We will continue to monitor these rates closely.
The NHS will be in contact in autumn 2023 when the seasonal vaccine is available for those who are eligible due to health conditions or age. Remember that the virus can cause serious illness, especially for those who are older or immunosuppressed, so we urge everyone who is offered to take up the vaccine when offered.
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Thursday 6 July 2023
This fortnightly flu and COVID-19 report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.
COVID-19 surveillance up until end of week 26
COVID-19 case rates have decreased this week compared to our previous report. 3.6% of 4,535 respiratory specimens reported through the Respiratory DataMart System were identified as COVID-19.
Hospital admissions and ICU admission rates have continued to decrease. The overall COVID-19 hospital admission rate for week 26 was 0.8 per 100,000 population, a decrease from 2.03 per 100,000 the previous report.
Those aged 85 years and over continue to have the highest hospital admission rates, though these have continued to decline this week to 8.61 per 100,000 from 22.4 per 100,000 in the previous report. Admission rates among those aged 75 to 84 years have declined to 4.74 per 100,000 from 10.06 in the previous report.
ICU admission rates continue to decrease to 0.04 compared to 0.07 in our previous report.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said:
COVID-19 rates remain low, but those who are older or immunosuppressed are still at risk of being admitted to hospital.
As we enter July, the spring booster offer has now closed. The seasonal COVID-19 vaccine will return in autumn 2023. If your NHS record suggests you may be eligible due to your health condition or age, the NHS will be in contact with you to let you know when you can take up this offer.
Those who have developed a new health condition or started treatment that severely weakens your immune system, as well as children aged 6 months to 4 years who are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 may still be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. We'd recommend speaking with your specialist f
