Syndromic surveillance summary: 9 February 2023 week 5
Updated 4 January 2024
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Reporting week 5: 30 January to 5 February 2023
During week 5, NHS 111 calls and emergency department (ED) attendances for ‘COVID-19-like’ indicators continued to increase. ED attendances and GP consultation rates for scarlet fever remained stable but above seasonally expected levels. There were increases noted in ‘eye problems’ and conjunctivitis, where activity in children aged 5 to 14 years is currently above seasonally expected levels.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 5, NHS 111 cold and flu calls continued to increase. There were further increases observed in ‘potential COVID-19’ calls, particularly in adults aged 15 to 44 years. There were also increases noted in ‘eye problems’ calls and assessments in groups of those aged 1 to 4 years and those aged 5 to 14 years. NHS 111 calls and online assessments for diarrhoea and vomiting increased in week 5.
Access the remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 5, GP in-hours consultation rates for upper and lower respiratory tract infections increased while influenza-like illness remained stable. There was an increase observed in conjunctivitis consultations, particularly in children aged 5 to 14 years, which is currently above seasonally expected levels. Scarlet fever consultations remained stable but 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 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.
Access the GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 5, ‘COVID-19-like’ attendances continued to increase while acute respiratory infection attendances stabilised in children aged under 15 years. ED attendances for influenza-like illness and scarlet fever both remained stable during week 5. ED attendances for gastroenteritis increased in children aged under 15 years.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 5, there were continued increases in ambulance calls for difficulty breathing. Calls for ‘overdose or ingestion or poisoning’ increased and are just above baseline levels.
Access the ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK