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 7 October to 13 October (ISO week 41): 

• Calls to NHS 24 for respiratory symptoms and patient attendances to GP practices for influenza-like illness and acute respiratory infection are at low levels, usual for this time of year.
• Influenza A test positivity in the community (CARI) surveillance system and in laboratory confirmed tests increased this week. Influenza A hospital admissions also increased again this week, to 43 (from 24).
• RSV activity is currently lower in the community (CARI) and in laboratory confirmed surveillance than it was at this time last year. Test positivity and laboratory confirmed incidence rates are both stable.
• Surveillance of COVID-19 show relatively low activity levels, after a recent peak in July. Hospital admissions due to COVID-19 increased to 175 (from 150).
• Parainfluenza test positivity has increased over the past four weeks and is primarily affecting the 0-4 age group, according to community (CARI) data. Laboratory confirmed incidence rates also increased this week.
• There were 274 emergency hospital admissions with a confirmed diagnosis of influenza, COVID-19 or RSV in week 41, up from 229 last week.
• A new analysis of COVID-19 winter 2023 vaccine effectiveness showed strong protection against severe illness and death in those aged 65 and over. This protection reduced over time, emphasising the importance of staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations when offered.
• The RSV vaccination programme for older adults in Scotland is a new programme begun in August 2024. As a one off-report of uptake, PHS found that from 1 August to 13 October 2024 there were 202,288 RSV vaccinations delivered to older adults, 68.4% of the eligible population.

Further information

The next release will be 24 October 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