Official Statistics

National flu and COVID-19 surveillance report: 16 April 2026 (week 16)

Updated 16 April 2026

Applies to England

This report summarises the information from the surveillance systems which are used to monitor COVID-19 (caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)), influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and diseases caused by other seasonal respiratory viruses in England. The report is based on data up to week 15 of 2026 (between 6 April and 12 April 2026).

Main points

The main messages of this report are:

• influenza activity remained stable and is circulating at baseline levels

• COVID-19 activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels

• RSV activity decreased slightly and is circulating at baseline levels

Trends for seasonal influenza indicate that it is no longer circulating widely in the community. Prescribers should be aware that the likelihood of people with influenza-like-illness who actually have an influenza virus infection has reduced.

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Summary of all respiratory virus activity

Influenza activity

Influenza activity remained stable and is circulating at baseline levels. Emergency department (ED) attendances for influenza-like-illness (ILI) remained stable. Of influenza viruses subtyped at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Respiratory Virus Unit throughout this season, the majority were A(H3N2).

Indicator	Trend	Level [note 1]	Comments
Laboratory surveillance	Stable	Baseline	Influenza positivity remained stable compared with with a positivity rate on the most recent Sunday of 1.3% compared with 1.3% on the previous Sunday
ILI general practice (GP) consultations	Stable	Baseline	The weekly ILI consultation rate remained stable at 2.2 per 100,000 registered population in participating GP practices compared with 2.3 per 100,000 in the previous week
GP swabbing positivity	Decreasing	Baseline	In week 15, among all tested samples, 0% were positive for influenza, compared with 1.9% in the previous week
Hospital admissions	Increased	Baseline	The overall weekly hospital admission rate for influenza hospitalisations increased to 0.38 per 100,000 compared with 0.18 per 100,000 in the previous week
Intensive care units (ICU)/High-dependency unit (HDU) admissions	Remained low	Baseline	The overall weekly hospital admission rate for influenza ICU-HDU remained low at 0.01 per 100,000 compared with 0.01 per 100,000 in the previous week

COVID-19 activity

COVID-19 activity remained stable and is circulating at baseline levels. ED attendances for COVID-19-like illness remained stable.

Indicator	Trend	Level [note 1]	Comments
Laboratory surveillance	Decreasing	Baseline	COVID-19 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) positivity in hospital settings decreased with a positivity rate on the most recent Sunday of 1.7% compared with 1.9% on the previous Sunday
GP swabbing positivity	Decreasing	Baseline	In week 15, among all tested samples, 2.5% were positive for SARS-CoV-2, compared with 2.9% in the previous week
Hospital admissions	Decreased	Baseline	The overall weekly hospital admission rate for COVID-19 decreased to 0.39 per 100,000 compared with 0.53 per 100,000 in the previous week
ICU/HDU admissions	Remained low	Baseline	The overall weekly ICU or HDU admission rate for COVID-19 remained low at 0.03 per 100,000 compared with 0.02 per 100,000 in the previous week

Respiratory syncytial virus activity

RSV activity decreased slightly and is circulating at baseline levels. ED attendances for acute bronchiolitis decreased. Reporting of weekly RSV hospital admissions for the 2025 to 2026 season concluded in week 14.

Indicator	Trend	Level [note 1]	Comments
Laboratory surveillance	Decreasing	Baseline	RSV positivity decreased to 0.6% compared with 1.1% in the previous week.
GP swabbing positivity	Decreasing	Baseline	In week 15, among all tested samples, 0% were positive for RSV compared with 1% in the previous week

Other viruses

Indicator	Trend	Level [note 1]	Comments
Adenovirus	Decreasing slightly	Medium	Adenovirus positivity (laboratory surveillance) decreased slightly to 4.5% compared with 4.7% in the previous week
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV)	Stable	Low	hMPV positivity (laboratory surveillance) remained stable at 3.1% compared with 3% in the previous week
Parainfluenza	Decreasing slightly	Low	Parainfluenza positivity (laboratory surveillance) decreased slightly to 3.5% compared with 3.9% in the previous week
Rhinovirus	Stable	Baseline	Rhinovirus positivity (laboratory surveillance) remained stable at 13.1% compared with 12.9% in the previous week

Note 1: these indicators use the moving epidemic method (MEM) and the mean standard deviation method (MSD) to define thresholds to determine their respective levels of activity. Further information on these methods can be found in Influenza surveillance in Europe: establishing epidemic thresholds by the Moving Epidemic Method and Setting thresholds to determine COVID-19 activity levels using the mean standard deviation (MSD) method, England, 2022 to 2024. The MEM approach is well-established for some influenza surveillance indicators, however, for other indicators both the MEM and MSD are experimental and may be subject to future revision. Influenza laboratory surveillance (from week 1) and GP swabbing positivity (from week 2) have transitioned from using MEM to using MSD. These approaches will be considered alongside expert opinion and triangulation of other data sources.

Laboratory surveillance

Laboratory-confirmed cases

The Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS) captures test result information for notifiable infectious diseases, including COVID-19 and influenza, from laboratories in England. The unified sample dataset (USD), used to calculate the percentage tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 among all SARS-CoV-2 tests, stores all SARS-CoV-2 test results reported to SGSS, Respiratory DataMart, and UKHSA laboratories.

COVID-19 cases

As of 14 April 2026, there were a total of 257 COVID-19 cases identified in hospital settings in week 15, decreasing from 394 cases in the previous week.

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) PCR positivity in hospital settings decreased in week 15, with a rolling 7-day positivity rate of 1.7% up to Sunday 12 April 2026 compared with 1.9% for the same period on the previous Sunday.

Positivity rates were highest among those aged between 0 and 4 with a rolling 7-day positivity rate of 3% up to Sunday 12 April 2026. This has decreased compared to 3.4% in the same age group on the previous Sunday.

Figure 1. Weekly confirmed COVID-19 episodes tested in hospital settings, England.

Figure 2. Rolling 7-day positivity of tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 among all reported SARS-CoV-2 tests, England 2022 to present [note 2] [note 3]

Note 2: data from previous seasons is aligned by day.

Note 3: testing policy and practice may change over time which can impact positivity rates, therefore comparisons over time should be interpreted with caution. Notable changes in testing policy occurred during 2022 to 2023, which are outlined in the data quality report.

Figure 3. Rolling 7-day positivity of tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 among all reported SARS-CoV-2 tests by age group, England [note 4]

Note 4: the highlighted line corresponds to the age group in the subplot title, grey lines correspond to all other age groups.

Influenza cases

Influenza positivity remained stable compared with in week 15, with a rolling 7-day positivity rate of 1.3% up to Sunday 12 April 2026. This is compared with 1.3% on the previous Sunday.

Influenza positivity rates were highest among those aged between 25 and 44 years, with a rolling 7-day positivity rate of 2.4% up to Sunday 12 April 2026. This has  increased from 1.7% in the same age group on the previous Sunday.

Figure 4. Rolling 7-day positivity of tests positive for influenza among all reported influenza tests, England 2022 to present [note 2]

Note 2: data from previous seasons is aligned by day.

Figure 5. Rolling 7-day positivity of tests positive for influenza among all reported influenza tests by age group, England [note 4]

Note 4: the highlighted line corresponds to the age group in the subplot title, grey lines correspond to all other age groups.

RSV positivity

This section is a new addition to the report. RSV swab-positivity based PCR test results reported through SGSS have been included as a pilot indicator from week 49 2025.

RSV positivity increased in week 15, with a rolling 7-day positivity rate of 1.2% up to Sunday 12 April 2026, compared with 1% up to the previous Sunday.

RSV positivity rates were highest in those aged between 0 and 4 years with a rolling 7-day positivity rate of 3.7% up to Sunday 12 April 2026 in week 15. This has increased from 2.8% in the same age group on the previous Sunday.

Figure 6. Rolling 7-day positivity of tests positive for RSV among all reported RSV tests in SGSS, England

Figure 7. Rolling 7-day positivity of tests positive for RSV among all reported RSV tests in SGSS by age group, England [note 4]

Note 4: the highlighted line corresponds to the age group in the subplot title, grey lines correspond to all other age groups.

Respiratory DataMart System

Respiratory DataMart is a sentinel laboratory-based surveillance system where participating laboratories report positive and negative test results for a number of respiratory viruses from samples primarily taken in hospital. A small proportion of primary care samples are also included in this reporting.

In week 15, data is based on reporting from 9 out of the 14 sentinel laboratories.

In week 15, 3,432 respiratory specimens reported through the Respiratory DataMart System were tested for influenza. There were 40 positive samples for influenza: 13 influenza A (not subtyped), 7 influenza A (H3N2), 7 influenza A (H1N1)pdm09, and 13 influenza B. Overall, influenza positivity increased to 1.2% in week 15 compared with 0.9% in the previous week.

In week 15, 4,076 respiratory specimens reported through the Respiratory DataMart System were tested for SARS-CoV-2. There were 75 positive samples for SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 positivity remained stable at 1.8% compared with 1.9% in the previous week, with the highest positivity in those aged between 5 and 14 years at 3.3%.

RSV positivity decreased to 0.6%, with the highest positivity in those aged under 5 years at 1.2%.

Adenovirus positivity decreased slightly to 4.5%, with the highest positivity in those aged under 5 years at 17.5%.

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) positivity remained stable at 3.1%, with the highest positivity in those aged under 5 years at 4.5%.

Parainfluenza positivity decreased slightly to 3.5%, with the highest positivity in those aged under 5 years at 10%.

Rhinovirus positivity remained stable at 13.1%, with the highest positivity in those aged under 5 years at 29.3%.

DataMart data is provisional and subject to retrospective updates.

Figure 8a. Respiratory DataMart weekly percentage of tests positive for influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and rhinovirus, England [note 5]

Note 5: shading represents 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 8b. Respiratory DataMart weekly percentage of tests positive for adenovirus, hMPV and parainfluenza, England [note 5]

Note 5: shading represents 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 9. Respiratory DataMart weekly cases by influenza subtype, England

Figure 10. Respiratory DataMart weekly percentage testing positive for RSV by season, England

Figure 11. Respiratory DataMart weekly percentage testing positive for RSV by age, England [note 4]

Note 4: the highlighted line corresponds to the age group in the subplot title, grey lines correspond to all other age groups.

SARS-CoV-2 lineages

UKHSA conducts genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 lineages.

This section provides an overview of circulating lineages in England, derived from data on sequenced PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 samples in SGSS.

The prevalence of UKHSA-designated lineages among sequenced cases is presented in Figure 12.

To account for reporting delays, we report the proportion of lineages within COVID-19 cases that have had a sequenced positive sample between 2 March 2026 and 15 March 2026.

Of those sequenced in this period:

• 29.3 % was classified as BA.3.2
• 15.5 % was classified as RE.1.1.1
• 12.1 % was classified as XFG.14
• 10.3 % was classified as XFG
• 6.9 % was classified as PQ.2
• 5.2 % was classified as NB.1.8.1
• 3.4 % was classified as XFG.3
• 3.4 % was classified as XFG.3.4.1
• 3.4 % was classified as XFG.23

Note that low sequencing numbers, especially within the latest reporting period, will impact the accuracy of the prevalence estimates. These most recent figures should therefore be interpreted with caution.

Note that lineages will be grouped independently from their parent lineage once they reach sufficient prevalence, and may be re-grouped into their parent lineage if their prevalence subsequently falls. The data quality report contains more information on lineage groupings.

Figure 12. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 lineages amongst available sequenced cases for England from 31 March 2025 to 22 March 2026

Influenza virus characterisation

Analysis of viruses from primary and secondary care shows that circulating A(H1N1)pdm09 show genetic diversity. However, antigenic characterisation of currently circulating A(H1N1)pdm09 shows that these are antigenically similar to the A(H1N1)pdm09 strain included in the Northern Hemisphere 2025 to 2026 vaccine.

The characterisation of circulating A(H3N2) viruses show that A(H3N2) viruses are diverse (genetically). Most sequenced viruses to date belong to genetic subclade K.  Antigenic characterisation indicates low reactivity of these viruses with post infection ferret antisera raised against the Northern Hemisphere vaccine H3N2 viral components.

To date, only a small number of influenza B viruses have been detected, which show some genetic diversity, and antigenic characterization of these viruses is ongoing.

Genetic characterisation

Between week 40 2025 (week ending 5 October 2025) and week 15 2026 (week ending 12 April 2026), the UKHSA respiratory virus unit (RVU) has genetically characterised 1,909 seasonal influenza viruses, and identified 1,613 influenza A(H3N2) viruses, 267 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses, and 29 influenza B viruses. Details of the characterised viruses by subtype are shown in tables 1, 2 and 3. The RVU has confirmed by genome sequencing the detection of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) viruses in 9 influenza A/B positive samples, collected from children aged between 2 and 16 years of age.

Table 1. Number of influenza A H1N1(pdm09) viruses characterised by genetic analysis at the UKHSA Respiratory Virus Unit since week 40 2025

Clade	Subclade	Detections
5a.2a	C.1.9.3	3
5a.2a.1	D.3	6
5a.2a.1	D.3.1	258

Table 2. Number of influenza A(H3N2) viruses characterised by genetic analysis at the UKHSA Respiratory Virus Unit since week 40 2025

Clade	Subclade	Detections
2a.3a.1	J.2	12
2a.3a.1	J.2.2	3
2a.3a.1	J.2.3	6
2a.3a.1	J.2.4	16
2a.3a.1	K (J.2.4.1)	1,570
2a.3a.1	J.2.5	6

Table 3. Number of influenza B viruses characterised by genetic analysis at the UKHSA Respiratory Virus Unit since week 40 2025

Clade	Subclade	Detections
V1A.3a.2	C.3	1
V1A.3a.2	C.3.1	2
V1A.3a.2	C.5.1	5
V1A.3a.2	C.5.6	13
V1A.3a.2	C.5.6.1	7
V1A.3a.2	C.5.7	1

Antigenic characterisation

UKHSA RVU performs antigenic characterisation of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B viruses using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays. Data from these assays are used to compare how similar the currently circulating influenza viruses are to the strains included in seasonal influenza vaccines, and to monitor for changes in circulating influenza viruses. Similarity of currently circulating influenza strains to vaccine strains is defined as having an antibody titre within 4-fold when compared to reference viruses representative of the vaccine strain.

The following influenza viruses have been antigenically characterised:

•   A(H1N1)pdm09: 55 A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses have been antigenically characterised and 55 were similar to reference viruses representative of the A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like and A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09 like Northern Hemisphere 2025/26 (H1N1)pdm09 vaccine strains.

•   A(H3N2): 272 A(H3N2) viruses have been antigenically characterised and 13 were similar to reference viruses representative of the A/District of Columbia/27/2023 (H3N2)-like and A/Croatia/10136RV/2023 (H3N2) like Northern Hemisphere 2025/26 (H3N2) vaccine strains. 259 viruses were antigenically distant from the Northern Hemisphere 2025/26 vaccine strains: 252 belonged to the K subclade, 4 belonged to the J.2.4 subclade and 3 belonged to the J.2.3 subclade.

•   B/Victoria: 1 influenza B virus has been antigenically characterised and was similar to reference viruses representative of the B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)‑like Northern Hemisphere 2025/26 influenza B vaccine strain.

Influenza virus antiviral susceptibility surveillance

Influenza positive samples are screened for mutations in the virus neuraminidase (NA) and the cap-dependent endonuclease of the polymerase acidic protein (PA) genes known to confer neuraminidase inhibitor (oseltamivir and zanamivir) or baloxavir resistance, respectively. Results from this surveillance are given in table 4. There have been a low number of detections with mutations related to reduced susceptibility/resistance to oseltamivir and/or reduced susceptibility to baloxavir, in people both with and without oseltamivir and baloxavir use, respectively. The specific numbers are suppressed for statistical disclosure control. Antiviral use (relevant to the identified mutation) is counted in detections with reported use of the relevant antiviral by referring clinician. In this, “no use” and “unknown use” are equivalent and equal to zero.

Table 4. Oseltamivir, zanamivir and baloxavir marboxil antiviral susceptibility results of influenza positive samples tested at UKHSA-RVU since week 40 of 2025 using whole genome sequencing

Subtype	Mutation (gene)	Interpretation	Detections	Antiviral use
H1N1pdm09	None (NA)	Normal inhibition (oseltamivir and zanamivir)	260	Not applicable
H1N1pdm09	None (PA)	Normal susceptibility (baloxavir marboxil)	246	Not applicable
H1N1pdm09	H275Y (NA)	Highly reduced inhibition (oseltamivir)	Below 5	Below 5
H1N1pdm09	H275Y (NA) +  S247N (NA)	Highly reduced inhibition (oseltamivir)	Below 5	Below 5
H1N1pdm09	I38T (PA)	Reduced susceptibility (baloxavir marboxil)	Below 5	Below 5
H3N2	None (NA)	Normal inhibition (oseltamivir and zanamivir)	1,601	Not applicable
H3N2	None (PA)	Normal susceptibility (baloxavir marboxil)	1,589	Not applicable
H3N2	E119V (NA)	Reduced inhibition (oseltamivir)	Below 5	Below 5
H3N2	K249E (NA)	Reduced inhibition (oseltamivir)	Below 5	None
H3N2	R292K (NA)	Highly reduced inhibition (oseltamivir) and reduced inhibition (zanamivir)	Below 5	Below 5
H3N2	N329R (NA)	Reduced inhibition (oseltamivir)	Below 5	None
H3N2	I38L (PA)	Reduced susceptibility (baloxavir marboxil)	Below 5	Below 5
H3N2	E198K (PA)	Reduced susceptibility (baloxavir marboxil)	Below 5	None
B Victoria	None (NA)	Normal inhibition (oseltamivir and zanamivir)	28	Not applicable
B Victoria	None (PA)	Normal susceptibility (baloxavir marboxil)	28	Not applicable

Community surveillance

Acute respiratory infection incidents (ARI)

Data is presented on viral ARI incidents in different settings that are reported to UKHSA health protection teams (HPTs).

Please note that reporting practices are known to vary between seasons and between regions. Any interpretation of temporal and regional trends should consider the likelihood of differences in reporting of ARI incidents over time and between regions.

There were 41 new ARI incidents reported in week 15 in England. These included:

• 39 incidents from care homes, of which 3 were due to SARS-CoV-2, 3 were due to other pathogens, 1 was due to RSV, 1 was due to influenza (no type information available), 1 was due to influenza A and 1 was due to multiple pathogens. No pathogen was reported in 29 incidents

• 1 incident from hospitals, of which 1 was due to other pathogens

• no incidents from educational settings

• no incidents from prisons

• 1 incident from other settings, of which 1 was due to influenza A

Figure 13. Number of ARI incidents by setting, England

Figure 14. Number of ARI incidents in all settings by virus type, England

FluSurvey (England)

Community surveillance using FluSurvey ended in week 15 2026 and will resume next season. No further 2025 to 2026 season data will be included in this report.

Syndromic surveillance

Syndromic surveillance collects data from various healthcare sources where presentations are classified by patterns of symptoms compatible with specific infections. In some settings, the syndromic diagnosis can be supplemented by (rapid) testing. In this report, ED attendances are displayed. Further details and data from other syndromic surveillance systems can be found in the syndromic surveillance weekly summaries.

During the week ending on 12 April 2026, ED attendances for acute respiratory infection decreased and were similar to seasonally expected levels. ED attendances for influenza-like illness remained stable and was below seasonally expected levels. ED attendances for acute bronchiolitis (a syndrome related to RSV infection) decreased and was below seasonally expected levels. ED attendances for COVID-19-like illness remained stable.

Daily NHS 111 acute respiratory infection triaged calls and online assessments decreased and were below seasonally expected levels. GP in-hours consultation rates for acute respiratory infection indicators continued to decrease or remained stable. GP out-of-hours daily contacts for acute respiratory infections decreased nationally and were similar to seasonally expected levels.

Figure 15a. Daily emergency department attendances for acute respiratory infection nationally, England [note 6]

Note 6: 7-day moving average is adjusted for bank holidays. Grey columns show weekends and bank holidays.

Figure 15b. Daily emergency department attendances for acute respiratory infection by age group, England [note 7]

Note 7: scales vary in each graph to enable trend comparisons. The black line is the 7-day moving average adjusted for bank holidays.

Figure 16a. Daily emergency department attendances for COVID-19-like illness nationally, England [note 6]

Note 6: 7-day moving average is adjusted for bank holidays. Grey columns show weekends and bank holidays.

Figure 16b. Daily emergency department attendances for COVID-19-like illness by age group, England [note 7]

Note 7: scales vary in each graph to enable trend comparisons. The black line is the 7-day moving average adjusted for bank holidays.

Figure 17a. Daily emergency department attendances for ILI nationally, England [note 6]

Note 6: 7-day moving average is adjusted for bank holidays. Grey columns show weekends and bank holidays.

Figure 17b. Daily emergency department attendances for ILI by age group, England [note 7]

Note 7: scales vary in each graph to enable trend comparisons. The black line is the 7-day moving average adjusted for bank holidays.

Figure 18a. Daily emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis nationally, England [note 6]

Note 6: 7-day moving average is adjusted for bank holidays. Grey columns show weekends and bank holidays.

Figure 18b. Daily emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis by age group, England [note 7]

Note 7: scales vary in each graph to enable trend comparisons. The black line is the 7-day moving average adjusted for bank holidays.

Primary care surveillance

Primary care surveillance is undertaken in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC), using a national sentinel surveillance system of around 2,000 GP practices covering over 20 million registered patients of all ages across England. More information on the methodology can be found in the data quality report.

RCGP clinical indicators (England)

The weekly ILI consultation rate through the RCGP surveillance remained stable at 2.2 per 100,000 registered population in participating GP practices in week 15 compared with 2.3 per 100,000 in the previous week.

This rate is in the baseline activity level (Figure 19). By age group, the highest rates were seen in those aged under 1 year (6.9 per 100,000), and those aged 75 and over years (6 per 100,000).

The lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) consultation rate remained stable at 67.9 per 100,000 in week 15 compared with 66.1 per 100,000 in the previous week.

Further details are available in the weekly RSC communicable and respiratory disease report for England.

Figure 19. RCGP ILI consultation rates per 100,000, all ages, England

MEM thresholds are based on data from the 2017 to 2018 season to the 2024 to 2025 season. Please note the 2019 to 2020, 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 seasons have been removed.

RCGP sentinel swabbing scheme in England

From week 40 2025, the RCGP sentinel swabbing scheme testing capability has been expanded to the UKHSA Bristol laboratory in addition to the UKHSA Colindale laboratory.

Samples sent to Colindale are tested for influenza A and B, RSV A and B, SARS-CoV-2, hMPV, adenovirus, seasonal coronavirus and enterovirus/rhinovirus while samples sent to Bristol are tested for influenza A and B, RSV and SARS-CoV-2.

160 samples were taken in week 15 2026 through the GP sentinel swabbing, 79 were tested and 2 tested positive (Figure 20).  As of week 4 2024, contemporaneous enterovirus differentiation has stopped. Starting from week 40 2025, samples with more than 7 days between the sample collection date and the symptom onset date have been excluded.

In week 15 2026, influenza positivity was 0%, SARS-CoV-2 positivity was 2.5%, and RSV positivity was 0% (Figure 21). 79 samples were tested in Bristol and 0 samples were tested in Colindale. In Bristol, 51.9% of the samples tested were from the South West.

In week 14 2026, influenza positivity was 1.9%, SARS-CoV-2 positivity was 2.9%, RSV positivity was 1%, adenovirus positivity was 3.9%, hMPV positivity was 5.2%, seasonal coronavirus positivity was 3.8%, and enterovirus and rhinovirus positivity was 11.7% (Figure 21). 130 samples were tested in Bristol and 80 samples were tested in Colindale.

Due to the number of samples which have not yet been categorised, data should be interpreted with caution when compared with previous weeks. The weekly positivity is not calculated when the number of samples with a result is fewer than 50.

Figure 20. Number of samples tested for respiratory viruses in England by week, GP sentinel swabbing scheme [note 8]

Note 8: unknown category corresponds to samples with no result yet.

Figure 21. Percentage of detected respiratory virus among samples with completed testing for each virus in England by week, GP sentinel swabbing scheme

Figure 22. Percentage of detected respiratory viruses among samples with completed testing for each virus in England by age group, GP sentinel swabbing scheme, week 12 to week 15

Figure 23. Weekly positivity for SARS-CoV-2, influenza and RSV in England, GP sentinel swabbing scheme [note 5] [note 9]

Note 5: shading represents 95% confidence intervals.

Note 9: The latest week of data may not represent both the Colindale and Bristol laboratories, as sample transit and processing is faster in Bristol than in Colindale.

Secondary care surveillance

COVID-19 hospital and ICU or HDU admissions

Surveillance of COVID-19 hospitalisations to all levels of care and admissions to intensive care units (ICU) or high dependency units (HDU) are both mandatory, with data required from all acute NHS trusts in England.

Please note that SARI Watch data is provisional and subject to retrospective updates. ICU or HDU admission rates may also be affected by lags from admission to hospital to an ICU or HDU ward. Rates are presented per 100,000 trust catchment population.

COVID-19 hospitalisations for all levels of care in week 15 2026 based on 98 NHS trusts in England were as follows:

• the overall weekly hospital admission rate for COVID-19 decreased to 0.39 (compared with 0.53 per 100,000 in the previous week)

• hospital admission rates for COVID-19 were highest in the South West region (increasing to 0.84 per 100,000 compared with 0.41 in the previous week). See the supplementary graphs and data file for regional breakdowns

• the highest hospital admission rate for COVID-19 was in those aged 85 years and over (remained stable at 3.92 per 100,000 compared with 3.97 in the previous week)

COVID-19 ICU-HDU admissions in week 15 2026 based on 85 NHS trusts in England were as follows:

• the overall ICU or HDU rate for COVID-19 remained low at 0.03 per 100,000 (compared with 0.02 per 100,000 in the previous week). Note that with low rates in critical care, small random fluctuations may occur

• ICU or HDU admission rates for COVID-19 were highest in the East of England region (remained low at 0.06 per 100,000 compared with 0.00 in the previous week). See the supplementary graphs and data file for regional breakdowns

• the highest ICU or HDU admission rate for COVID-19 was in those aged between 65 and 74 years (increasing to 0.11 per 100,000 compared with 0.05 in the previous week)

Figure 24. Weekly overall COVID-19 hospital admission rates per 100,000 trust catchment population reported through SARI Watch mandatory surveillance, England

Figure 25. Weekly hospital admission rate by age group for new COVID-19 positive cases reported through SARI Watch mandatory surveillance, England [note 10]

Note 10: the highlighted line corresponds to the most recent 2025 to 2026 season, grey lines correspond to the previous 2024 to 2025 season.

Figure 26. Weekly overall COVID-19 ICU or HDU admission rates per 100,000 trust catchment population reported through SARI Watch mandatory surveillance, England

Figure 27. Weekly ICU or HDU admission rate by age group for new COVID-19 positive cases reported through SARI Watch mandatory surveillance, England [note 10]

Note 10: the highlighted line corresponds to the most recent 2025 to 2026 season, grey lines correspond to the previous 2024 to 2025 season.

Influenza hospital and ICU or HDU admissions

Surveillance of influenza hospitalisations to all levels of care is based on data from a small sentinel network of acute NHS trusts in England. Surveillance of admissions to ICU or HDU for influenza is mandatory with data required from all acute NHS trusts in England.

Please note that SARI Watch data is provisional and subject to retrospective updates. Rates are presented per 100,000 trust catchment population.

Influenza hospitalisations to all levels of care in week 15 2026 based on 19 sentinel NHS trusts in England were as follows:

• the overall weekly hospital admission rate for influenza hospitalisations increased to 0.38 per 100,000 compared with 0.18 per 100,000 in the previous week

• this rate is in the baseline impact range (less than 1.95 per 100,000)

• hospital admission rates for influenza were highest in those aged 85 years and over (1.84 per 100,000)

• see the respiratory virus section of the data dashboard for regional breakdowns

• there were 28 new hospital admissions for influenza (14 influenza A(subtype unknown), 0 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 0 influenza A(H3N2), and 14 influenza B)

Influenza ICU-HDU admissions in week 15 2026 based on 89 NHS trusts in England were as follows:

• the overall weekly hospital admission rate for influenza ICU-HDU remained low at 0.01 per 100,000 compared with 0.01 per 100,000 in the previous week

• this rate is in the baseline impact range (less than 0.1 per 100,000)

• see the respiratory virus section of the data dashboard for regional breakdowns

• there were 3 new ICU or HDU admissions for influenza (2 influenza A(subtype unknown), 0 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 0 influenza A(H3N2), and 1 influenza B)

Figure 28. Weekly overall influenza hospital admission rates per 100,000 trust catchment population with MEM thresholds, reported through SARI Watch sentinel surveillance, England

Figure 29. Weekly influenza hospital admissions by influenza type, reported through SARI Watch sentinel surveillance, England

Figure 30. Weekly hospital admission rate by age group for new influenza reported through SARI Watch sentinel surveillance, England [note 10]

Note 10: the highlighted line corresponds to the most recent 2025 to 2026 season, grey lines correspond to the previous 2024 to 2025 season.

Figure 31. Weekly overall influenza ICU or HDU admission rates per 100,000 trust catchment population with MEM thresholds, reported through SARI Watch mandatory surveillance, England

Figure 32. Weekly influenza ICU or HDU admissions by influenza type, reported through SARI Watch mandatory surveillance, England

Figure 33. Weekly ICU or HDU admission rate by age group for new influenza cases, reported through SARI Watch mandatory surveillance, England [note 10]

Note 10: the highlighted line corresponds to the most recent 2025 to 2026 season, grey lines correspond to the previous 2024 to 2025 season.

RSV hospital admissions

Surveillance of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalisations (excluding ICU or HDU admissions) is based on data from a small sentinel network of acute NHS trusts in England submitting data voluntarily. Trusts submit weekly aggregate counts of new RSV admissions and these are summed and converted to rates by linking to catchment populations of participating trusts in that week. Please see the data quality report for additional details on SARI Watch RSV data and other SARI Watch collections.

Please note recent changes to the operational period of RSV surveillance. From the 2024 to 2025 season, surveillance of RSV commenced earlier (starting week 36) to routinely capture earlier activity, pausing earlier at week 14 due to substantial decreases in activity that typically occur by this time. In prior seasons, RSV surveillance operated routinely between week 40 and week 20 in the following year (except in 2023 to 2024 where surveillance paused at week 16). In order to view activity from week 36, the current season 2025 to 2026 is compared with 2024 to 2025 only. Where comparisons involve more seasons, data from week 40 to week 14 are presented.

SARI Watch data is provisional and subject to retrospective updates. Rates are presented per 100,000 trust catchment population.

RSV surveillance paused at week 14 for the 2025 to 2026 season. We will be including retrospective updates to week 14 2026 inclusive in the last edition of the national weekly surveillance report for the 2025 to 2026 season (week 21 report).

RSV hospitalisations, excluding ICU or HDU admissions, in week 14 2026 were based on 18 sentinel NHS trusts in England:

•   the overall weekly hospital admission rate for RSV decreased to 0.30 per 100,000 (compared with 0.40 per 100,000 in the previous week)

•   in children aged under 5 years, the hospitalisation rate for RSV decreased to 2.81 per 100,000 (compared with 3.41 per 100,000 in the previous week)

•   in adults aged 75 years and over, the hospitalisation rate for RSV decreased to 0.48 per 100,000 (compared with 1.18 per 100,000 in the previous week). Broken down further, rates were 0.00 per 100,000 in those aged between 75 and 84 years, and 1.71 per 100,000 in those aged 85 years and over in week 14

RSV ICU-HDU admissions in week 14 2026 were based on 18 sentinel NHS trusts in England:

•   the overall weekly ICU-HDU admission rate for RSV remained low at 0.02 per 100,000 (compared with 0.03 per 100,000 in the previous week)

Figure 34. Weekly overall hospital admission rates (excluding ICU or HDU) of RSV positive cases per 100,000 population reported through SARI Watch sentinel surveillance, England

Figure 35. Weekly hospital admission rates (excluding ICU or HDU) of RSV positive cases per 100,000 population in those aged under 5 years and aged over 75 years reported through SARI Watch sentinel surveillance, England

Figure 36. Weekly hospital admission rates (excluding ICU or HDU) by age group for RSV cases reported through SARI Watch sentinel surveillance, England [note 10]

Note 10: the highlighted line corresponds to the most recent 2025 to 2026 season, grey lines

correspond to the previous 2024 to 2025 season.

ECMO admissions

Surveillance of extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) admissions is based on data from severe respiratory failure (SRF) centres in the UK. Please refer to the data quality report for additional information.

Please note that SARI Watch data is provisional and subject to retrospective updates.

There was 1 new ECMO admission reported in week 15 2026 in adults:

• due to a non-infectious cause

Please note that the other group includes other viral, bacterial or fungal ARI, suspected ARI, non-infection (such as asthma, primary cardiac and trauma) and sepsis of non-respiratory origin.

Figure 37. Laboratory confirmed ECMO admissions in adults (COVID-19, influenza and non-COVID-19 confirmed) to severe respiratory failure centres in the UK

Vaccine coverage

COVID-19 vaccine uptake in England

The spring 2026 COVID-19 campaign begins in April, and data from this will be published in due course.

The autumn to winter 2025 COVID-19 vaccination campaign ended on 31 January 2026, with the last weekly uptake update published in the week 7 report.

For data on the real-world effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, please see the epidemiology of COVID-19 in England reports.

For COVID-19 management information on the number of COVID-19 vaccinations provided by the NHS in England, please see the COVID-19 vaccinations webpage.

For UK COVID-19 daily vaccination figures and definitions, please see the Vaccinations section of the UK COVID-19 dashboard.

Since the 19 December 2024, monthly data for frontline healthcare workers has been published. This covers vaccinations that were given between 1 September 2024 and 28 February 2025 and is available under the joint flu and COVID-19 vaccine uptake report.

Data sources and methodology

For additional information regarding data sources, see the data quality report.

Background information

Related statistics

Annual epidemiological reports for the 2024 to 2025 season:

•   Influenza in the UK, annual epidemiological report: winter 2024 to 2025 includes modelled influenza-attributable mortality, influenza vaccine effectiveness and influenza hospitalisations averted due to vaccination

•   Epidemiology of COVID-19 in England includes COVID-19 vaccine uptake, COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and COVID-19 seroprevalence

•   RSV Surveillance winter 2024 to 2025 includes RSV related deaths in children, RSV vaccine uptake and RSV vaccine impact

Annual influenza vaccine uptake reports for the 2024 to 2025 season:

•   Seasonal influenza vaccine uptake for all GP patients: annual report 2024 to 2025

•   Seasonal influenza vaccine uptake for school-aged children: annual report 2024 to 2025

•   Seasonal influenza vaccine uptake for frontline healthcare workers: annual report 2024 to 2025

COVID-19 deaths

For further information on COVID-19 related deaths in England, see the COVID-19 dashboard for death.

All-cause mortality assessment (England)

For further information on all-cause mortality in England, see the:

• excess mortality within England post-pandemic method report, which uses Office for National Statistics (ONS) death registration data

• all-cause mortality surveillance report, which uses the European mortality monitoring (EuroMOMO) model to identify weeks with higher than expected mortality

• ONS all-cause excess mortality report

Syndromic surveillance

For further information on syndromic surveillance, see the syndromic surveillance weekly summaries.

Further information and contact details

Feedback and contact information

To provide feedback and for all queries relating to this document, contact respdsr.enquiries@ukhsa.gov.uk

Official statistics

Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

You are welcome to contact us directly by emailing respdsr.enquiries@ukhsa.gov.uk with any comments about how we meet these standards.

Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk or via the OSR website.

UKHSA is committed to ensuring that these statistics comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics. This means users can have confidence in the people who produce UKHSA statistics because our statistics are robust, reliable and accurate. Our statistics are regularly reviewed to ensure they support the needs of society for information.