Uptake is lower in Scotland this year for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines compared to winter 2022/23.

In winter 2023/24, Scotland administered 1,645,729 influenza (Adult 18+), 535,975 influenza (Children 6 months to 17 years), and 1,386,983 COVID-19 vaccines since September 4, 2023. Among adults 65+, 79.8% received influenza, and 79.0% received COVID-19 vaccines by week 3. – Public Health Scotland (25th January 2024)

Reported cases of Influenza have increased by 3% for the week ending 21st Jan 2024.

Covid-19

The number of acute COVID-19 admissions to hospital has decreased to 193 (week ending 21st January 2024) from 287 the previous week.

Number of acute COVID-19 admissions to hospital by NHS Health Board of treatment; week ending

Health Board of Treatment	7. Jan 24	14. Jan 24	21. Jan 24
NHS Ayrshire and Arran	20	17	10
NHS Borders	5	10	6
NHS Dumfries and Galloway	18	9	4
NHS Fife	22	27	18
NHS Forth Valley	9	18	10
NHS Grampian	27	17	8
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde	107	79	50
NHS Highland	20	10	5
NHS Lanarkshire	32	44	34
NHS Lothian	50	32	28
NHS Orkney	1	1	0
NHS Shetland	2	0	0
NHS Tayside	31	20	20
NHS Western Isles	6	3	0
Golden Jubilee National Hospital	1	0	0
Scotland	351	287	193

For the same period the number of inpatients with COVID-19 in hospital (seven day average) has also decreased to 342, from 385 the previous week.

Seven day average of inpatients with COVID-19 in hospital by NHS Health Board of treatment; week ending

Health Board of Treatment	7. Jan 24	14. Jan 24	21. Jan 24
NHS Ayrshire and Arran	19	12	15
NHS Borders	11	23	22
NHS Dumfries and Galloway	6	3	3
NHS Fife	22	18	26
NHS Forth Valley	13	12	16
NHS Grampian	52	40	31
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde	135	133	115
NHS Highland	18	24	13
NHS Lanarkshire	31	42	45
NHS Lothian	51	51	32
NHS Orkney	2	0	0
NHS Shetland	4	2	1
NHS Tayside	34	20	21
NHS Western Isles	2	4	1
Golden Jubilee National Hospital	0	1	1
Scotland	399	385	342

Waste water monitoring for fragments of coronavirus’ ribonucleic acid (RNA).

This continues to show positive results for Scotland. The last published data for the area covered by the Kirkwall waste water system was on 9th January 2024.

National Records of Scotland published their weekly report on deaths for 24th January 2024

The provisional total number of deaths registered in Scotland in week 3 of 2024 (15th January to 21st January) was 1,290 (234 or 15% below the 5-year average).  There were 36 deaths mentioning COVID-19.

Those figures in more detail

Deaths involving Covid

• Age: 1 – 14: 1 death, female
• Age 15 – 44: 1 death, female
• Age 45 – 64: 0 deaths
• Age 65 – 74: 6 deaths, 1 female, 5 male
• Age 75 – 84: 15 deaths, 7 female, 8 male
• Age 85+ : 13 deaths, 5 female, 8 male

The were 4 deaths in Care Homes; 1 at Home/ Non-Institutional Setting; and 31 in Hospital.

Of the 36 deaths involving Covid, Covid was the underlying cause in 23 of them.

There were 1,290 deaths due to all causes, 234 fewer than the 5 year average.

Fiona Grahame