Syndromic surveillance summary: 21 December 2023 week 50
Updated 4 January 2024
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Reporting week 50: 11 December to 17 December
During week 50, NHS 111 calls and online assessments for ‘potential COVID-19’ and ED ‘COVID-19-like’ attendances continued to increase, particularly in adult age groups. There were further small increases in GP in-hours and ED influenza-like illness indicators, but activity remains low and within expected levels.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 50, there were increases in NHS 111 calls and online assessments for respiratory conditions: cold/flu, fever, sore throat, and potential COVID-19. There were also increases noted in NHS 111 calls for diarrhoea, vomiting and eye problems in line with seasonally expected levels.
Access the remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 50, GP in-hours consultation rates for respiratory infection indicators (including influenza-like illness) continued to increase in those aged over 5 years. Consultation rates for the COVID-19-like indicator continued to increase in those ages over 15 years. The consultation rate for whooping cough increased, notably in the 5 to 14 years age group.
Access the GP in hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 50, GP out-of-hours contacts for acute respiratory infection and influenza-like illness continued to increase in those aged over 5 years. Contacts for acute bronchiolitis continued to decrease in those under 5 years of age. Contacts for fever increased nationally.
Access the GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 50, attendances for respiratory infection indicators (including acute respiratory infection and influenza-like illness) increased in those aged over 5 years. ‘COVID-19-like’ ED attendances increased in those over 15 years of age. Pneumonia attendances stabilised during week 50 but with a continued increase observed in children aged 5 to 14 years (noting the small numbers of attendances) and adults aged 15 to 64 years.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 50, daily ambulance calls for difficulty breathing decreased and were similar to seasonally expected levels while ‘cardiac or respiratory arrest’ calls decreased below seasonally expected levels.
Access the ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK