Syndromic surveillance summary: 5 January 2023 week 52
Updated 5 January 2023
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Reporting week 52: 26 December 2022 to 1 January 2023
During week 52, indicators for influenza-like illness decreased nationally across emergency department (ED) and GP in-hours syndromic systems. There were also decreases noted across other syndromic respiratory indicators including ED acute respiratory infection attendances and NHS 111 cold and flu calls. There were further decreases observed in scarlet fever indicators although activity remains above seasonally expected levels.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 52, there were decreases in NHS 111 cold and flu calls and online assessments, however they remain at elevated levels in adults aged 45 years and over. Decreases were also noted in sore throat calls and assessments in children aged 15 years and under, while there were further increases in adults aged 45 years and over. There were small decreases noted in ‘potential COVID-19’ calls and assessments during week 52, however overall trends currently remain stable.
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 52, GP in-hours consultation rates for influenza-like illness decreased, however there were further increases noted in those aged 65 years and over. Consultation rates for lower respiratory tract infections and pneumonia both increased, particularly in adults aged 45 years and over. There were further decreases in ‘pharyngitis or scarlet fever’ and scarlet fever indicators during week 52, however both remain above expected levels.
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.
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 52, ED attendances for influenza-like illness decreased across all age groups, however attendances remain above expected levels. There was a small decrease in COVID-19-like attendances although trends currently remain stable. There were further decreases noted in ED attendances for scarlet fever, however activity remains above expected levels. There was a sharp increase in attendances for acute alcohol intoxication on 1 January 2023, particularly noted in adults aged 15 to 44 years.
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 52, ambulance calls for difficulty with breathing decreased however overall trends remain stable. Calls for ‘cardiac or respiratory arrest’ decreased but remained above seasonally expected levels. ‘Overdose or ingestion or poisoning’ calls increased during week 52 with a spike in calls observed on 1 January 2023.