Overview
- Latest UKHSA surveillance for 6–12 October shows flu test positivity rising to about 5.0% from 3.3% the previous week.
- Influenza hospital admissions nearly doubled to 1.27 per 100,000 from 0.73, and GP influenza-like illness consultations increased to 5.4 per 100,000.
- Children and younger adults account for most of the early growth, and parents are being asked to return school consent forms for the child nasal spray vaccine.
- People with high temperature, cough, tiredness or aches are advised to minimise contact, consider a face covering if they must go out, and maintain hand hygiene and ventilation.
- Doctors say flu and Covid symptoms overlap, so testing is the only way to be certain; the NHS notes shortness of breath is more typical of Covid, and RSV indicators are also rising.