Syndromic surveillance summary: 2 March 2023 week 8
Updated 4 January 2024
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Reporting week 8: 20 February to 26 February 2023
Acute respiratory syndromic indicators either decreased or remained stable during week 8. There were, however, some further increases observed in adults aged 65 years and over for NHS 111 cold and flu, sore throat and ‘potential COVID-19’ calls and emergency department (ED) COVID-19-like attendances. GP in-hours consultations and ED attendances for scarlet fever continued to decrease during week 8, with activity now at expected levels for GP in-hours.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 8, NHS 111 calls for cold and flu, sore throat and ‘potential COVID-19’ continued to increase in adults aged 65 years and over, while remaining stable nationally. There were also increases observed in NHS 111 calls for diarrhoea and eye problems in adults aged 65 years and over.
Access the remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 8, GP in-hours consultation rates for respiratory indicators decreased or remained stable. Scarlet fever consultation rates decreased, particularly in the 1 to 4 years and 5 to 14 years age groups; national rates are now at seasonally expected levels. GP consultation rates for conjunctivitis decreased in week 8 but remained above seasonally expected levels and increased in the group of those aged 65 years and over.
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
‘COVID-19-like’ ED attendances remained stable nationally during week 8, but there were further increases noted in adults aged over 65 years. Gastroenteritis attendances remain below seasonally expected levels nationally, but attendances also increased in the over 65 years age group. ED attendances for scarlet fever continued to decrease during week 8 but remain above seasonally expected levels.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
Ambulance calls for difficulty breathing decreased during week 8. There were increases observed in ambulance calls for headache but they remain below baseline levels.
Access the ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK