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 21 October to 27 October (ISO week 43): 

• Calls to NHS24 for respiratory symptoms and patient attendances to GP practices for influenza-like illness and acute respiratory infections remain low, which is typical for this time of year.
• Influenza A test positivity remained stable and low in the community (CARI) surveillance system, with laboratory-confirmed tests slightly lower than the previous week. Influenza related admissions to hospital decreased to 43 this week, compared with 56 in the previous week.
• RSV continues to rise in terms of case numbers, although remaining at a lower level compared with this same week in previous winter reporting seasons. The largest increases were among those 15 years and under, as is typical in the early season. RSV related admissions to hospital continue to increase, with the highest emergency hospitalisation rate in the under 1 age group.
• COVID-19 continues to decrease across all measures, including admissions to hospital, relative to the most recent peak in July.
• Reporting of COVID-19 in wastewater has been reinstated this week, with data to 31st of August showing levels in line with hospital admission data following spikes in July
• Since the start of the current winter 2024/25 vaccination programme, 509,705 Adult (18+) and 238,724 child (6 months to 17 years) influenza vaccines and 433,790 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Scotland. Among adults aged 65 years and older, 32.3% have been vaccinated against influenza and 30.8% have been vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Further information

The next release will be 7 November 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