Weekly national flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published

The main points from this week’s national influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report are:

Surveillance indicators suggest that at a national level COVID-19 activity decreased in some indicators in week 30 of 2021.

Seven-day case rates per 100,000 population decreased across all age groups but still remain high.

Case rates were highest in those aged 20 to 29, with a 7-day rate of 611 per 100,000 population and second highest in those aged 10 to 19 with a 7-day rate of 512.4 per 100,000 population.

The lowest case rates were in those aged 80 and above, with a 7-day rate of 62.3 per 100,000 population.

Seven-day case rates per 100,000 population decreased across all regions.

Seven-day case rates per 100,000 population were highest in Yorkshire and the Humber at 354.7.

Case rates per 100,000 were lowest in the South East, with a 7-day rate of 229.5.

The number of acute respiratory infection incidents (suspected outbreaks) in England was 407 in week 30, compared to 600 in the previous week.

The hospital admission rate for week 30 was 7.05 per 100,000 population, in the previous week it was 7.32 per 100,000 population.

Hospital admission rates for COVID-19 were highest in the North East, with a rate of 13.66 per 100,000 population.

The highest hospital admission rates continue to be those aged 85 and above.

Professor Isabel Oliver, Incident Director on COVID-19 for Public Health England, said:

We are all getting back to doing the things we enjoy and meeting up with friends and family again, but we can’t drop our guard – COVID-19 has not gone away and cases are still high across the country despite recent drops. We can all take simple steps to help stop the spread of the virus such as socialising outside, wearing a mask in busy indoor spaces and getting 2 doses of the vaccine.We are calling on everyone to take up this offer, particularly in younger age groups where case rates are highest and uptake hasn’t been as high. Sixteen and 17 year olds are now advised to get the first dose of the vaccine, so when the NHS gets in touch, please do come forward and ensure you are protected as you take your next steps in life.