Syndromic surveillance summary: 21 July 2022 week 28
Updated 5 January 2023
© Crown copyright 2023
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/syndromic-surveillance-weekly-summaries-for-2022/syndromic-surveillance-summary-21-july-2022-week-28
Reporting week: 11 July to 17 July 2022
During week 28 there were increases in ‘heat impact’ syndromic indicators, initially observed peaking on 11 July followed by increases starting on 17 July in line with recent hot weather. Please note that week 28 does not include the Met Office Level 4 Alert for extreme heat on 18 and 19 July. There were also small decreases noted in NHS 111 call and emergency department attendance coronavirus (COVID-19)-like indicators.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 28, NHS 111 calls and online assessments for ‘heat exposure or sunburn’ increased, initially peaking on 11 July and then increasing again on 17 July in line with recent hot weather. Fever and vomiting calls also increased nationally, with increases noted in children aged up to 15 years. Please note that week 28 does not include the Met Office Level 4 Alert for extreme heat on 18 and 19 July. There was a small decrease in ‘potential COVID-19’ calls and assessments during week 28.
GP in hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 28, GP consultations for ‘heat or sunstroke’ increased in line with the recent hot weather (please note that week 28 does not include the Met Office Level 4 Alert for extreme heat on 18 and 19 July). GP COVID-19-like consultations decreased during week 28.
GP out of hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 28, GP out-of-hours ‘heat or sunstroke’ contacts increased, initially peaking on 11 July and then increasing again on 17 July in line with the recent hot weather. Please note that week 28 does not include the Met Office Level 4 Alert for extreme heat on 18 and 19 July. Due to a technical issue GP contacts were not received from a number of out of hours providers and therefore trends presented in this report should be interpreted with some caution.
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 28, emergency department ‘heat or sunstroke’ attendances increased peaking initially on 11 July and then starting to increase again on 17 July in line with the hot weather. Please note that week 28 does not include the Met Office Level 4 Alert for extreme heat on 18 and 19 July. COVID-19-like attendances decreased during week 28, across all age groups and regions.
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 28, ambulance calls for ‘impact of heat (or cold)’ increased, initially peaking on 11 July and then increasing again on 17 July, in line with the recent hot weather. There were also increases in ‘unconscious or passing out’ and ‘collapsed with unknown problem’ calls, but these remained within expected levels. Please note that week 28 does not include the Met Office Level 4 Alert for extreme heat on 18 and 19 July.