Research and analysis

Syndromic surveillance summary: 7 March 2024 week 9

Updated 25 April 2024

Reporting week 9: 26 February to 3 March.

During week 9, most syndromic acute respiratory infection indicators continued to decrease or remained stable and are at, or approaching, seasonally expected levels. However, emergency department (ED) and GP in-hours pneumonia indicators continued to remain at above expected levels, particularly in the 5 to 14 and 15 to 44 years age groups.

Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system

During week 9, NHS 111 respiratory syndromic indicators (including cold/flu, cough, difficulty breathing and ‘potential COVID-19’) remained stable or showed further decreases in NHS 111 calls and online assessment activity. Gastroenteritis indicators also decreased or remained stable.

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GP in hours syndromic surveillance system

During week 9, there was an increase in GP in-hours upper respiratory tract infections consultations, particularly noted in the 5 to 14 years age group. Pneumonia consultations increased overall, with increases observed in 5 to 14 and 15 to 44 years age groups; activity overall remains above seasonally expected levels. There was also an increase observed in diarrhoea and vomiting consultations in children aged 5 to 14 years.

Please note: due to technical problems, GP consultation data from ORCHID for week 9 are not available for inclusion in this bulletin. We are working to resolve this issue.

Access the GP in hours syndromic surveillance bulletins

GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system

During week 9, GP out-of-hours daily contacts for acute respiratory infections and influenza-like illness decreased and are currently at seasonally expected levels.

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Emergency department syndromic surveillance system

During week 9, ED attendances for acute respiratory infections continued to decrease but remain above seasonally expected levels. Influenza-like illness attendances also decreased and are now at seasonally expected levels. Daily ED pneumonia attendances remain stable overall however activity is still above seasonally expected levels and particularly in the 5 to 14 and 15 to 44 years age groups (but noting relatively small numbers of attendances in these age groups). There was an increase in scarlet fever attendances during week 9. Attendances are currently lower than activity reported over recent weeks but above seasonally expected levels.

Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins

Ambulance syndromic surveillance system

During week 9, difficulty breathing calls were stable but above expected levels.

Access the ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins