This weekly bulletin brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for flu, COVID-19, RSV and other viruses.
In week 40:
- influenza activity showed increasing activity across indicators, particularly in young adults, and was at baseline levels
- COVID-19 activity showed increasing activity, circulating at medium levels
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) showed mixed activity across indicators and was circulating at baseline levels
The flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report has been published.
Flu surveillance data for week 40:
- flu activity showed increasing activity across indicators, particularly in young adults, and was at baseline levels
- flu positivity increased with a weekly mean positivity rate of 3.3%, compared to 1.9% in the previous week – this is based on a percentage of people who test positive in hospital among those with symptoms tested
- overall, flu hospitalisations were at baseline levels, at 0.67 per 100,000. This surveillance formally starts in week 40 so comparisons to the previous week are not possible
- in week 40, the weekly influenza-like illnesses (ILI) General Practice (GP) consultation rate increased to 4.2 per 100,000 compared with 3.3 per 100,000 in the previous week
COVID-19 surveillance data for week 40:
- COVID-19 activity showed increasing activity, circulating at medium levels
- COVID-19 positivity in hospital settings increased with a weekly mean positivity rate of 12.9% compared with 11.7% in the previous week
- COVID-19 hospitalisations increased to 4.65 per 100,000 compared to 3.41 per 100,000 in the previous week
- COVID-19 ICU admissions increased to 0.14 per 100,000 compared with 0.10 per 100,000 in the previous week
- there were 78 COVID-19 acute respiratory incidents reported in week 40 in total, with 70 incidents in care homes, 4 incidents in hospitals, 2 in educational settings and 2 in other settings
- those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which increased to 48.56 per 100,000 compared with 34.17 per 100,000 in the previous week
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) surveillance data for week 40:
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) showed mixed activity across indicators and was circulating at baseline levels
- emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis remained stable
- the overall weekly hospital admission rate for RSV was stable at 0.14 per 100,000 compared with 0.14 per 100,000 in the previous week.
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:
The first weekly surveillance report of the 2025/26 season shows that both flu and COVID-19 positivity continue to increase, so everyone eligible for vaccination should take it up now to ensure optimal protection. The NHS national booking system has opened for all eligible groups to book their flu and COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
Remember that there are simple steps everyone can take to protect themselves and others. Anyone experiencing flu or COVID-19 symptoms, including high temperature, cough and feeling tired or achy, should try to minimise contact with others, particularly with those who may be vulnerable. If you have symptoms and need to leave the house, our advice remains that you should consider wearing a face covering. Washing hands regularly and using and disposing tissues in bins can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, as can ensuring that indoor areas are well ventilated.
Norovirus surveillance data between weeks 39 to 40:
- norovirus activity has remained low and was within expected levels during this two-week period between 22 September and 5 October
- overall, norovirus laboratory reports between 22 September and 5 October were 20.6% lower than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period
- the rate remained low across all regions and age groups but was highest among children aged 0 to 4 years
- rotavirus reporting between weeks 39 and 40 of 2025 was 36.6% lower than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period
- the number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2025/2026 season is 69.6% lower than the 5-season average
- during the 2025/2026 season to date, the majority (84.4%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII), of which the most frequent genotypes identified were GII.4 (26.4%) and GII.17 (26.4%)
- norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs (norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time)
Amy Douglas, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:
Norovirus activity has remained low and within expected levels in recent weeks, but it’s important to remember the simple steps we can take to prevent the spread of norovirus as we approach the colder months.
If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and do not prepare food for others in that time either. If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.
Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so do not rely on these alone.
