#Covid & #Flu Update 6th January 2023

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Published by Public Health Scotland on 6th of January 2023 are the latest figures on Covid and Flu after the holdiay break.

Covid

  • In Scotland, in the week ending 08 December 2022, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 130,900 (95% credible interval: 111,100 to 153,400), equating to 2.49% of the population, or around 1 in 40 people (Source: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, UK – Office for National Statistics)
  • In the week ending 01 January 2023, there were on average 1,267 patients in hospital with COVID-19, a 15.1% increase from the previous week ending 25 December 2022 (1,101)
  • In the week ending 01 January 2023 there were 14 new admissions to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) with a laboratory confirmed test of COVID-19, an increase of 2 from the previous week (25 December 2022)
  • By week ending 01 January 2023 of the 1,972,085 people vaccinated for COVID-19 as part of the Winter 2022 vaccination programme, 90% were vaccinated for Flu at the same vaccination appointment

See also: Deaths Involving #Covid 6th Jan 2023

All Covid rules and restrictions have been lifted in Scotland, but the virus has not gone away. 

You can take action to help protect yourself and keep others safer. Together these actions help reduce the risk and make it safer for everyone.

Lessen the risk by choosing to:

  • get the vaccine or the vaccine booster, and, where they are prescribed, the new anti-viral treatments – this is the best way to protect yourself
  • meet outside where possible
  • when meeting indoors, open windows to let fresh air in
  • if you can, try and keep some distance from those outside your own household – take a step back
  • where appropriate, wear a face covering in indoor public spaces and on public transport
  • wash your hands regularly, and cover your nose and mouth if coughing or sneezing
  • maintain good surface hygiene by cleaning regularly
  • explore hybrid and flexible working practices where appropriate – organisations and workplaces should follow the safer workplaces and public settings guidance

If you are unwell with COVID-19 symptoms or have a high temperature, you should follow the ‘Stay at Home’ guidance available on NHS Inform.

Flu

  • The incidence rate of influenza has decreased but has remained at Extraordinary activity level overall.
    • There were 2,279 influenza cases: 1,800 type A (subtype unknown), 334 A(H3), 117 A(H1N1)pdm09 and 28 type B. This compares to 2,727 laboratory-confirmed cases reported during week 51.
    • Influenza by age: each individual age group remained at Extraordinary activity level.
    • Influenza by NHS Board: four NHS Boards were at Moderate, one was at High and nine were at Extraordinary activity level.

The hospitalisation rate for influenza has been generally increasing since week 25 and was 23.1 per 100,000 in week 52, with the highest hospital admission rate for confirmed influenza noted in patients aged less than one year old (113.1 per 100,000). The number of hospitalised patients who tested positive for influenza reported in week 52 is higher than that reported for any week since the start of the 2016/2017 season. 

Influenza vaccine data show that at the end of week 52, an estimated total of 2,486,266 individuals have received their vaccine. This includes 1,913,756 eligible adults of whom 959,950 are aged 65 years and over. In addition, 90.0% of those receiving their COVID winter booster and eligible for flu vaccine have received both vaccines at the same appointment. More detailed data for the 2022/23 winter programme are available on the PHS flu and COVID winter vaccination dashboard.

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2 replies »

  2. PS

    I understand that isolating and having less contact with people probably decreases our immunity to infections But, at the same time, the simplest precautions taken against Covid – such as wearing a mask indoors when among un-known people and keeping your distance – should help to reduce the risk of catching ‘flu too.

    Viruses are clever… https://theorkneynews.scot/2022/02/08/thinking-aloud-again/

    We under-rate them at our peril.

    Reply

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