Authorities of England published weekly national flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports

News Desk: National influenza and COVID-19 report, monitoring coronavirus (COVID-19) activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.

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 week 13 of 2021.

Case rates have fallen across all age groups.

Case rates continue to be highest in those aged 10 to 19, with a case rate of 54.3 per 100,000 population.

The lowest case rates continue to be in those aged 70 to 79, with a rate of 7.2 per 100,000 population.

Case rates per 100,000 have fallen across all regions and remain highest in Yorkshire and the Humber, at 66.9.

Case rates per 100,000 are lowest in the South West, with a rate of 15.5.

The number of acute respiratory infection incidents (suspected outbreaks) in England was 140 in week 13, compared to 294 in the previous week.

Seroprevalence data indicates that around 46.4% of the population have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 from either infection or vaccination, compared to 14.5% from infection alone.

In the 70 to 84 years age group, around 93.5% had antibodies from either infection or vaccination compared to 4.7% from infection alone.

The hospital admission rate for COVID-19 has fallen – it was 2.09 per 100,000 in week 13, compared to 2.75 per 100,000 in the previous week.

Hospital admission rates for COVID-19 have fallen across all regions.

Hospital admission rates for COVID-19 are highest in Yorkshire and the Humber, with a rate of 3.34.

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

Dr Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director at Public Health England said:

It is encouraging that the data continues to go in the right direction, but we know how quickly the virus can spread.

We have come a long way since the start of the year, and the terrible peak we saw during the winter, largely thanks to the country’s grit and determination. Whatever your plans next week, please remember to follow the rules and take up your vaccine when offered one. Let’s not blow it now.