Syndromic surveillance summary: 17 August 2023 week 32
Updated 4 January 2024
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Reporting week 31: 31 July to 6 August 2023
COVID-19-like emergency department (ED) attendances continued to increase in week 32. Increases were observed across age groups 15 years and over, but particularly 65 years and over. There was a small increase in syndromic ‘impact of heat’ and insect bite indicators during week 32, in line with the Heat-Health Alert for 10 to 12 August.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 32, NHS 111 calls for ‘cold/flu’ remained stable overall and at expected levels, but there was a further small increase in the over 65 years age group. NHS 111 calls and online assessments for insect bites increased over the weekend of 12 to 13 August and are above seasonally expected levels. During week 32 there was also an increase in ‘heat exposure or sunburn’ calls and online assessments, in line with the Heat-Health Alert for 10 to 12 August; however, activity remained within expected levels.
Access the remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 32, GP in-hours consultation rates for upper respiratory tract infections decreased although rates in the 65 years and over age group increased slightly. Lower respiratory tract infection rates are stable overall but remain above seasonally expected levels.
Access the GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
Daily GP out-of-hours contact data was not received from 4 August 2022 until 31 March 2023 due to technical problems. We have been working closely with our data provider and the daily syndromic feed recommenced on 1 April 2023. We are currently evaluating the daily data received and will resume publication of the weekly bulletin when this process is complete.
Access the GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 32, COVID-19-like ED attendances continued to increase nationally, with increases noted across all age groups aged 15 years and over, but particularly in those aged 65 years and over. Increases in COVID-19-like attendances were observed across all regions. Other respiratory indicators remained stable or decreased. There was a small increase in ED attendances for ‘heat or sunstroke’ during week 32, in line with the Heat-Health Alert for 10 to 12 August, but attendances have now returned to expected levels.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
There was an increase in ambulance calls for ‘cardiac or respiratory arrest’ during week 32, although calls were similar to baseline levels. There was a small increase in ‘impact of heat or cold’ calls during week 32, in line with the Heat-Health Alert for 10 to 12 August, but they remained below baseline levels.
Access the ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK