Research and analysis

Syndromic surveillance summary: 8 August 2024 week 31

Updated 19 December 2024

Reporting week 31: 29 July to 4 August.

During week 31 there were increases in ‘impact of heat’ syndromic indicators across all syndromic systems in line with a Yellow Heat-Health Alert that was in place across parts of England during the reporting week. Syndromic activity peaked mid-week and then decreased, returning to expected levels by the weekend. Emergency department (ED) and GP in-hours COVID-19-like indicators decreased during week 31.

Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system

During week 31, NHS 111 calls and assessments for ‘heat exposure or sunburn’ increased in line with a Yellow Heat-Health Alert that was in place across parts of England; daily calls and assessments decreased towards the end of the week, approaching expected levels. There was also an increase in calls and assessments for insect bites however activity was similar to seasonally expected levels.

Remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins

GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system

During week 31, GP in-hours COVID-19-like consultations decreased, particular across adult age groups. There was a small increase in ‘heat or sunstroke’ consultations in line with a Yellow Heat-Health Alert in place across parts of England. Measles and whooping cough consultations were stable during week 31 but they both remained above expected levels.

GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins

GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system

During week 31, GP out-of-hours daily contacts for ‘heat or sunstroke’ increased in line with a Yellow Heat-Health Alert in place over parts of England, daily contacts had returned to expected levels by the weekend. There was also an increase in contacts for insect bites however this remained below seasonally expected levels.

GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins

Emergency department syndromic surveillance system

During week 31, daily ED COVID-19-like attendances continued decreasing across all age groups and regions. ‘Heat or sunstroke’ attendances increased in line with a Yellow Heat-Health Alert in place across parts of England, although daily attendances had returned to expected levels by the end of the week.

Emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins

Ambulance syndromic surveillance system

During week 31, daily ambulance calls for ‘impact of heat or cold’ increased in line with the Yellow Heat-Health Alert in place over parts of England, however daily calls had decreased to expected levels by the weekend.

Ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins