Syndromic surveillance summary: 16 February 2023 week 6
Updated 4 January 2024
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Reporting week 6: 6 February to 12 February 2023
During week 6, there were increases in ‘eye problems’ and conjunctivitis syndromic indicators. Increases were mainly observed in children and activity is generally above seasonally expected levels, particularly in the group of those aged from 5 to 14 years. There were also further increases in ‘COVID-19-like’ emergency department (ED) attendances in the group of those aged over 65 years.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 6, NHS 111 cold, flu and COVID-19-like calls and online assessments remained stable overall. There were further increases observed in ‘eye problems’ calls and online assessments across all age groups but most notably in children aged 5 to 14 years. NHS 111 calls and online assessments for diarrhoea and vomiting continued to increase during week 6.
Access the remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 6, GP in-hours consultation rates for influenza-like illness and upper and lower respiratory tract infections remained stable. There were further increases in conjunctivitis consultations, which are above seasonally expected levels, with increases particularly observed in children aged 5 to 14 years. There were small increases in scarlet fever consultations during week 6, in line with seasonal expectations.
Access the GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
Daily GP out-of-hours contact data from 4 August 2022 onwards has not been received due to a widely publicised disruption faced by one of the GP out-of-hours clinical software system providers. We have since been informed that this disruption was as a result of a cybersecurity incident caused by ransomware. We are working closely with our data provider to restore the daily syndromic feed.
Access the GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 6, ED attendances for acute respiratory infections and influenza-like illness remained stable and similar to expected levels. There were, however, further small increases in ‘COVID-19-like’ attendances, which were noted in the group of those aged over 65 years. ED attendances for scarlet fever remained stable during week 6 while attendances for gastroenteritis continued to increase, particularly in children aged under 15 years.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 6, ambulance calls for ‘difficulty breathing’ and ‘cardiac or respiratory arrest’ remained stable overall.
Access the ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK