Viral respiratory diseases (including influenza and COVID-19) in Scotland surveillance report

About this release

This weekly release by Public Health Scotland presents epidemiological information on respiratory infection activity, including COVID-19, across Scotland. Due to the dynamic nature of all datasets included in this report, figures contained within each update may be subject to change in future releases. Any revised figures will then be reflected within the latest update.

Main points

Overall assessment 12 February to 18 February (ISO week 7):

• Respiratory symptoms in the community measured via calls to NHS24 were at Baseline activity level. Attendances at GP consultations (GP ILI) were at Low activity level.
• In the CARI community surveillance system, swab positivity for influenza A remained elevated, but decreased slightly to 16.1% in week 7 from 16.9% in week 6. Mycoplasma pneumoniae also remained elevated but decreased from 10% to 8.5% and continues to affect the 5-14 age group more than others. Human metapneumovirus increased from 9.7% to 11.4%. All other pathogens decreased to lower levels or remained stable.
• Virology data showed influenza remained at Moderate activity level in week 7. All age groups have decreased to or remained at Moderate activity level. RSV remained at Baseline activity level while Mycoplasma pneumoniae decreased to Moderate activity level.
• Emergency hospital admissions because of influenza continued to decrease (340 to 231) as did RSV (36 to 16) and COVID-19 (154 to 119). There were decreasing ICU/HDU influenza admissions and none for COVID-19 and RSV.
• All-cause excess mortality for week 4 (week ending 28 January 2024, the latest week not impacted by reporting delays) remained at Low activity level overall and increased for the 65 and above age group to Low activity level. All other age groups remained at Baseline activity level.
• In winter 2023/24, Scotland administered 1,650,152 influenza (Adult 18+), 538,606 influenza (Children 6 months to 17 years) and 1,390,800 COVID-19 vaccines since September 4, 2023. Among adults 65+, 80.1% received influenza, and 79.3% received COVID-19 vaccines by week 7. Uptake is lower for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines compared to winter 2022/23.
• COVID-19 vaccines have saved more than 24,000 lives in Scotland between December 2020 and March 2023.

Background

Tracking infectious respiratory diseases, including COVID-19 and influenza, is essential, especially in the winter when the disease burden can be highest. In Scotland, respiratory infection and associated morbidity are monitored using enhanced surveillance. This approach combines data from microbiological sampling and laboratory test results from community and hospital settings with data from syndromic surveillance of NHS 24 calls, primary care consultations for respiratory symptoms, hospital (including intensive care) admissions and other settings.

The intelligence generated from surveillance of laboratory, syndromic and community settings provide a comprehensive picture of current respiratory illness in Scotland. The data presented in this report provide a comprehensive and timely epidemiological picture that is essential for understanding transmission of infection and supporting patient care and NHS service planning and policy.

Seasonality patterns / seasonal variations

Respiratory illnesses are associated with seasonal increase in the autumn and winter. Seasonality patterns for both influenza viruses and non-influenza respiratory pathogens have been established through many years of surveillance data. Most influenza and non-influenza pathogens circulate in the autumn and winter in Scotland, although some are known to circulate in the spring and summer. Notably, COVID-19 transmission has been occurring in waves throughout the year as observed from surveillance data since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

Further information

The next release will be on 29 February 2024.

Find out more

Previous Publications

Versions of the Weekly national respiratory report publication released before 30 November 2022 may be found on the Public Health Scotland website.

Versions of the COVID-19 weekly statistical report publication released before 30 November 2022 may be found on the Public Health Scotland website.

Open data

Open data from this publication is available from the following weblinks:

• Viral respiratory diseases Open Data platform
• Flu and COVID vaccination uptake Open Data platform

Further data

• The COVID-19 Vaccine Wastage datafile was updated on 18 April 2024 to include the most recent information.
• The COVID-19 in Adult Care Homes in Scotland datafile was updated on 27 July 2023 to include more recent information.
• 28 September 2022 COVID-19 statistical report publication contains information on COVID-19 infection and vaccination in pregnancy in Scotland.
• 2 March 2022 COVID-19 statistical report publication contains information on Highest Risk (shielding patients list)
• 7 November 2023 Community Acute Respiratory Infection (CARI) surveillance in primary care contains information on flu Vaccine effectiveness in community settings.
• 25 May 2023 Interim 2022/23 influenza vaccine effectiveness: six European studies, October 2022 to January 2023, contains information on flu Vaccine effectiveness in hospital settings.
• 13 January 2024 Estimated number of lives directly saved by COVID-19 vaccination programs in the WHO European Region, December 2020 to March 2023, contains information on lives saved due to COVID-19 vaccination