Syndromic surveillance summary: 4 October 2026 week 40
Updated 8 October 2026
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1. Reporting week 39: 28 September to 4 October 2026
During week 40, there were increases in most respiratory indicators across all syndromic surveillance systems, broadly in line with seasonally expected baselines with increases primarily in older age groups over 15 years. Increases in ‘COVID-19 like’ indicators were observed across syndromic surveillance systems.
2. Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 40, NHS 111 triaged calls and online assessments for acute respiratory infections (ARI) continued to increase in line with seasonally expected baselines; increases in calls and online assessments for ARI stabilised in children aged up to 14 years during the past week, but continued to increase in older age groups over 15 years.
Access the remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins
3. GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 40, there were further increases in COVID-19-like consultation rates. Upper respiratory tract infection consultation rates increased, most notably in adults aged over 45 years but broadly in line with seasonal expectations. Influenza-like illness consultation rates increased and were above levels expected for the time of year with increases noted in adults, particularly those aged 15 to 44 years.
Access the GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
4. GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 40, daily contacts for ‘acute respiratory infections’ and ‘difficulty breathing or wheeze or asthma’ increased in line with seasonally expected baselines. Both of these indicators were stable or decreased in the under 15 years age groups but increased in the over 15 years age groups. Daily influenza-like illness contacts stabilised nationally.
Access the GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
5. Emergency department (ED) syndromic surveillance system
During week 40, ED attendances for respiratory infection indicators, including acute respiratory infections (ARI), influenza-like illness (ILI) and pneumonia continued to increase. In addition, ARI and ILI remained slightly above baseline levels. Increases in these indicators were limited to those over 15 years of age. Acute bronchiolitis attendances remained stable and below baseline levels. COVID-19-like attendances stabilised overall, but with increases in age groups over 45.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins
6. Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 40, daily ambulance calls for headache remained above baseline.