UKHSA Weekly Winter Briefing 18.11.2021

The weekly Flu and Covid-19 Surveillance report has been published here.

COVID-19 Surveillance up to end of week 45

Summary

• Up to 14 November, COVID-19 vaccine uptake for a first dose was 35.8% for those aged 12 to under 16.
• This week UKHSA presented data on effectiveness of the COVID-19 booster vaccine, which shows that after a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca vaccine, resistance to infection stands at over 90%. 
• Surveillance indicators suggest that at a national level COVID-19 activity has increased in some indicators in week 45 of 2021.
• Case rates were highest in those aged 5 to 9, with a weekly rate of 722.9 per 100,000 population.
• The lowest case rates were in those aged 80 and above, with a weekly rate of 76.0 per 100,000 population.
• Weekly case rates per 100,000 population were highest in the South West at 485.3.
• Case rates per 100,000 were lowest in London with a weekly rate of 275.2.
• The number of acute respiratory infection incidents (suspected outbreaks) in England was 554 in week 45, compared to 452 in the previous week.
• The hospital admission rate for week 45 was 7.57 per 100,000 population, in the previous week it was 7.60 per 100,000 population.
• Hospital admission rates for COVID-19 were highest in the North East, with a rate of 10.88 per 100,000 population.
• The highest hospital admission rates continue to be those aged 85 and above.

Professor Steven Riley, Director General of Data, Analytics and Surveillance at UKHSA, said:

“Rates of COVID-19 continue to increase in those from younger age groups, and hospitalisations remain highest in those aged 85 and over. Following the JCVI announcement on Monday, more people than ever are eligible for second and booster doses – and it is as important as ever to get vaccinated or receive a booster jab as soon as you are offered one.

“Socialising indoors in places with poor ventilation increases the risk of infection. Help protect yourself and loved ones by opening windows and doors to ventilate the room when meeting people inside. Wash your hands regularly and wear a mask in crowded places. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, stay at home and get a PCR test as soon as possible.”

 

Flu Surveillance up to end of week 45

Summary

• The weekly influenza-like-illness consultation rate from the Royal College of GPs’ surveillance network in England remains low. Laboratory indicators, ICU and hospital admission rates also suggest that flu activity in England remains low.
• Compared to the same time last year, for those age 65 and over and those in at-risk groups flu vaccine uptake is higher than last season; and for pregnant women uptake is comparable to last season. Uptake in 2 and 3-year old children is lower than the same last year but higher than the previous seven seasons before that. Weekly vaccine coverage data are provisional.
• The majority of people were vaccinated at the GP.  
• Learn more about this year's flu vaccine programme on our blog.

Up to week 45 2021, the 95.4% of GP practices that provided data reported the provisional proportion of people in England who had received the flu vaccine was as follows:

• 72.2% in all adults aged 65 and over (compared to 70.7% last year and to 68.6% last week).
• 74.5% in those aged 65 years and over who are also in a clinical risk group (data was not available last season; 70.9% last week)
• 36.3% in those aged 6 months to under 65 years in a clinical risk group (compared to 35.2% in 2020 and 32.9% last week)
• 50.3% in patients aged 50-64 in risk groups (data was not collected last year; 46.2% last week)
• 30% in those aged 50 to 64 who are NOT in a clinical risk group (no comparable data for this time last season as they were not eligible for vaccinations until 1 December 2020; and 26.4% last week)
• 27.9% in all pregnant women (the same as in 2020 and 25.7% last week)

This season, 2 and 3-year olds continue to be eligible for their flu vaccine through their GP. Up to week 45 2021, in 96.3% of GP practices, the provisional proportion of children in England who had received their flu vaccine has increased in comparison to the week before:

• 36.2% in all 2-year olds (compared 41.9% in 2020 and 36.2% last week)
• 38% in all 3-year old (compared 43.4% in 2020 and 38.0% last week)

Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist, UK Health Security Agency, said: “Cases of flu in England remain very low but as we move closer to winter we expect cases to start rising. Many people have underlying health conditions that make them vulnerable to flu complications, including those with sickle cell disease or other conditions that affect the spleen, people with neurological conditions and those with liver conditions. I would urge any eligible patient to book their appointment to get a flu vaccine as soon as possible. This will give you the best level of protection as we head into what could be a challenging winter.

“Your flu vaccination can be arranged via your GP, and adults can be vaccinated on the NHS at your local pharmacy. Maternity services offer flu vaccination for pregnant women too.”

 

RSV surveillance up to the end of week 45

Summary

• Respiratory syncytial virus positivity decreased to 4.2% in week 45, while rhinovirus positivity increased slightly to 10.3% in week 45. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) positivity increased to 6.7% in week 45, while parainfluenza and adenovirus positivity remained low at 1.3% and 2.0% respectively.

Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at UK Health Security Agency, said:

“The best way to protect yourself and others from common seasonal illnesses is to carry on with good hygiene habits. This means washing your hands regularly, using a tissue to catch coughs or sneezes and washing your hands afterwards, and staying away from others if you feel unwell.”

Week 46 report: Norovirus surveillance up until end of week 44

Weekly surveillance of norovirus has been published here.

Summary

• Laboratory reports of norovirus have stabilised in recent weeks and were lower during weeks 43 and 44 than the five-season average pre-COVID-19 (2014/2015 to 2018/2019).
• Reported enteric virus (EV) outbreaks have decreased but the cumulative total number of reported EV outbreaks continues to be higher than reported in previous years; up to week 44 of the 2021/22 season the cumulative total number of outbreaks was 8% higher than the average of the five seasons pre-COVID-19.
• Throughout the 2021/2022 season to date, EV outbreaks have been more frequently reported in educational settings compared to previous years. Rotavirus laboratory reports have remained lower than the 5-season average of the same period pre-COVID-19 throughout the 2020/2021 season and this trend continues into the 2021/2022 season.
• To find out how to prevent norovirus, check out our blog here.

Dr Saheer Gharbia, Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Safety, UK Health Security Agency said: 

“Norovirus is transmitted by close contact with infected people or touching surfaces that the virus has landed on. Thoroughly and frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water and disinfect all surfaces after any episode of illness. Hand sanitisers do not kill norovirus.”

“If you get infected, it is easy to become dehydrated, so drink plenty of fluids to prevent this. Those experiencing diarrhoea and vomiting should not return to work or send unwell children to school until at least 48 hours after symptoms have cleared and ideally should also not prepare food during this time either. To stop the spread of infection we advise, where possible, those with symptoms should avoid visiting GP surgeries and hospitals. However, if anyone is concerned about their symptoms, they should contact NHS 111 or talk to their GP by phone or visit the NHS choices norovirus webpage.”