Latest COVID 🦠

This week, COVID levels are declining across the UK, with infections and hospitalisations at low levels. Vaccination uptake is progressing well, but eligible individuals are urged to book boosters before 20 December.

Latest COVID 🦠


▪ COVID-19 Surveillance Data (from UKHSA) ▪

  • COVID-19 activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at baseline levels
  • COVID-19 hospitalisations decreased to 1.82 per 100,000 compared to 2.19 per 100,000 in the previous week
  • COVID-19 ICU admissions remained stable at 0.07 per 100,000 compared with 0.07 per 100,000 in the previous week
  • There were 15 COVID-19 acute respiratory incidents reported in week 46
  • The highest hospital admission rate was in the North-East at 3.42 per 100,000, decreasing from 3.94 per 100,000 in the previous week
  • Those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which decreased to 19.25 per 100,000 compared with 21.99 in the previous week
  • Up to the end of week 46, 20.9% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group and 54.2% of all people aged over 65 years old, who are living and resident in England had been vaccinated with an Autumn 2024 booster dose
  • A technical issue has prevented UKHSA from processing the data used to provide the percentage of tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 among all reported SARS-CoV-2 tests. Work is underway to resolve the issue and resume reporting as soon as possible



▪ SUMMARY ▪

This week’s COVID-19 report shows that COVID levels are declining across the UK, with all nations reporting decreases in infection rates and hospital admissions. In England, test positivity, hospital admissions, and case rates have fallen to low levels, below those of other respiratory viruses. Scotland has also seen reductions across all measures, including hospital admissions. Wales has recorded lower hospital admissions this week, now at relatively low levels, while Northern Ireland reports a continued drop, with indicators below those of major respiratory viruses.

Over half of people aged 65 and older in England have received the Autumn 2024 booster, with good progress in Scotland and Northern Ireland, though coverage is lower in Wales.

The booster campaign, which started on 3 October, will close on 20 December. Eligible individuals are encouraged to book before the deadline.

REMINDER: The NHS Autumn 2024 booster campaign is now open. Book your vaccination now: click here!


▪ COVID CHART ▪

— ENGLAND DATA ONLY. | Credit: Dr Joe Pajak






▪ Variant Data


▪ VARIANT – ANALYSIS ▪

Key observations: The KP.3.1.1 variant remains the most dominant at 36.3%, but its prevalence is declining. The XEC variant has gained significant traction, now accounting for 28.8% of cases, indicating its growing presence.

Other variants, such as MC.1, MC.13, MC.10, and MC.16, have much lower prevalence, between 1.2% and 2.6%. New variants are emerging, including XDY and MC.2, though they still represent a small proportion of cases.

Overall, the data shows a mix of co-circulating variants, with no single variant overwhelmingly dominant, suggesting a diverse and evolving COVID landscape in the UK.




▪ Vaccination Data

▪ VACCINATION ANALYSIS ▪

Key observations: Booster doses administered fell to 406,935 in the week ending November 17, down from 605,467, marking slower progress compared to previous Autumn campaigns, with under 8.8 million doses given so far.






▪ COVID Death Data

▪ COVID DEATH ANALYSIS ▪

Last week, there was a slight decrease in weekly deaths. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 has now reached 243,211, which underscores the pandemic’s continuing impact and the need for sustained public health interventions and support for affected individuals, the most vulnerable and their families.







▪ FREE COVID TOOL

▪ FREE AEROSOL TRANSMISSION ESTIMATOR ▪

Try this FREE RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL to estimate indoor airborne transmission of COVID-19 around you.




▪ COVID on BlueSky

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We do not underestimate how challenging winter will be again this year for the NHS, with viruses including Covid-19 and flu continuing to threaten patients and our health system." 5/

— Clinically Vulnerable Families 💙💜💗 (@cvcev.bsky.social) 2024-11-22T12:03:09.705Z

‘We must break the cycle of COVID infections and disability. Clean indoor air, the wearing of N95 masks in crowded public places, and vaccinations are keys to preventing new cases of acute COVID-19 and Long COVID.’ ✍️ @KevinTKavanagh via @ICT_magazine www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/breakin...

— @DrJoePajak CSci CChem FRSC (@drjoepajak.bsky.social) 2024-11-20T02:19:46.297Z

♥️'Let bereaved families give evidence'. @covidinquiryuk www.aol.co.uk/bereaved-fam...

— @DrJoePajak CSci CChem FRSC (@drjoepajak.bsky.social) 2024-11-21T14:17:16.111Z





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