Syndromic surveillance summary: 24 August 2023 week 33
Updated 4 January 2024
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Reporting week 33: 14 August to 20 August 2023
During week 33 there were no further increases in COVID-19-like ED attendances. GP consultations for upper and lower respiratory tract infections decreased. Syndromic indicators for ‘insect bites’ increased during week 33 and are above seasonally expected levels.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 33, NHS 111 calls for ‘heat exposure or sunburn’ decreased and are now at seasonally expected levels while NHS 111 calls and online assessments for ‘insect bites’ increased and are currently above expected levels. Overall, all calls and assessments for respiratory indicators remained stable or decreased during week 33.
Access the remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 33, GP in-hours consultation rates of upper and lower respiratory tract infections decreased; however, lower respiratory tract infections remain above seasonally expected levels. Consultation rates of gastroenteritis remained stable overall, although increases were noted in the 65 years and over age group. Insect bites increased during week 33 and are currently 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
Overall, there were no further national increases in COVID-19-like ED attendances during week 33 although there was a small increase noted in the 45 to 64 years age group.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 33, there was an increase in ambulance calls for ‘chest pain’. Calls for ‘impact of heat or cold’ decreased and remain below seasonally expected levels.
Access the ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK