2.1 Episodes of influenza, RSV and COVID-19

The number of new influenza episodes remained stable in week 30, with four unique episodes identified. There were seven episodes reported in week 29. There were no new RSV episodes identified in week 30, which is similar to week 29 (one unique episode) (Figure 2.1).

Influenza and RSV episode rates by age groups are shown in (Figure 2.2). The highest influenza episode rate in week 30 was in the 65-74 age group (1.7 per 100,000 population).

Influenza and RSV episode rates across local government districts (LGD) are shown in (Figure 2.3). Fermanagh and Omagh had the highest influenza episode rate in week 30 (0.9 per 100,000 population).

The number of new COVID-19 episodes increased in week 30, with 116 unique episodes identified compared with 107 in week 29 (Figure 2.1).

COVID-19 episode rates by age groups are shown in (Figure 2.2). The highest COVID-19 episode rate in week 30 was in the 75+ age group (29.7 per 100,000 population).

COVID-19 episode rates across LGD are shown in (Figure 2.3). Antrim and Newtownabbey had the highest COVID-19 episode rate in week 30 (13.0 per 100,000 population).

Supplementary tables of unique episodes and weekly episode rates are shown at the end of this report.

Figure 2.1: Weekly number of unique episodes of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 by epidemiological week

Figure 2.2: Weekly episode rates of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 per 100,000 population, by age group, by epidemiological week

Figure 2.3: Weekly episode rates of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 per 100,000 population, by local government district, by epidemiological week

2.2 Testing and positivity (%)

In week 30 there were 1,176 influenza tests, four of which were positive (0.3% positivity). This is similar to week 29 (0.2% positivity) (Figure 2.4).

There were 698 RSV tests, none of which were positive. This is a similar to week 29 (0.3% positivity) (Figure 2.4).

There were 1,328 COVID-19 tests, 131 of which were positive (10.0% positivity). This is a similar to week 29 (9.6% positivity) (Figure 2.4).

There were 181 rhinovirus tests, six of which were positive (3.3% positivity). This is a decrease compared to week 29 (7.1% positivity) (Figure 2.4).

A supplementary table of testing and positivity is shown at the end of this report.

Figure 2.4: Weekly positivity for influenza, RSV and COVID-19, by year and epidemiological week

Shading represents 95% confidence intervals.

In week 30 there were 181 adenovirus tests, three of which were positive (1.7% positivity). This is similar to week 29 (2.2% positivity) (Figure 2.5).

There were 181 parainfluenza tests, four of which were positive (2.2% positivity). This is a decrease compared to week 29 (5.7% positivity) (Figure 2.5).

There were 181 human metapneumovirus (hMPV) tests, three of which were positive (1.7% positivity). This is similar to week 29 (2.2% positivity) (Figure 2.5).

Figure 2.5: Weekly positivity for adenovirus, parainfluenza and Human metapneumovirus, by year and epidemiological week

Shading represents 95% confidence intervals.

2.3 Influenza sub-typing

Of the four new influenza episodes identified in week 30, all were typed as Flu A (not subtyped) (Figure 2.6).

A supplementary table of influenza sub-typing is shown at the end of this report.

Figure 2.6: Weekly number of unique episodes of influenza, by subtype and epidemiological week

2.4 Sentinel surveillance

Sentinel surveillance plays a role in monitoring and understanding the spread and impact of respiratory viruses like influenza and COVID-19 in the community. It involves a systematic and targeted approach to collect data from a geographical representative subset of GP practices (~18% population representative) to provide information about virus activity across NI.

In week 30, no samples were positive for influenza or RSV and one sample was positive for COVID-19 from two samples submitted for testing to the Regional Virus Laboratory (RVL) (Table 1).

Total sentinel cases of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 by age group for the previous year are shown in (Figure 2.7), (Figure 2.8) and (Figure 2.9), and cumulatively for the 2024/25 influenza season in Table 2.

A supplementary table of testing and positivity is shown at the end of this report.

Figure 2.7: Weekly sentinel influenza cases, by age group, by epidemiological week

Figure 2.8: Weekly sentinel RSV cases, by age group, by epidemiological week

Figure 2.9: Weekly sentinel COVID-19 cases, by age group, by epidemiological week

2.5 Non-sentinel surveillance

Non-sentinel surveillance is the monitoring of respiratory viruses from virology data collected from settings such as hospitals and GPs (excluding the sentinel GPs). This provides information about virus activity across NI.

In week 30, four samples were positive for influenza from 1,174 samples submitted for testing to laboratories across NI (0.3% positivity). All were typed as Flu A (not subtyped). No samples were positive for RSV from 696 samples submitted for testing. 130 samples were positive for COVID-19 from 1,326 samples submitted for testing (9.8% positivity) (Table 3).

Total non-sentinel cases of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 by age group for the previous year are shown in (Figure 2.7), (Figure 2.8) and (Figure 2.12), and cumulatively for the 2024/25 influenza season in Table 4.

A supplementary table of testing and positivity is shown at the end of this report.

Figure 2.10: Weekly non-sentinel influenza cases, by age group, by epidemiological week

Figure 2.11: Weekly non-sentinel RSV cases, by age group, by epidemiological week

Figure 2.12: Weekly non-sentinel COVID-19 cases, by age group, by epidemiological week

2.6 SARS-CoV-2 variants

In the 8 weeks 12 May 2025 to 06 July 2025, 208 COVID-19 samples were sequenced. Of these, 55 were LP.8.1 (26.2% of all sequenced samples), 24 were NB.1.8.1 (11.4% of all sequence samples), 21 were KP (10.0% of all sequenced samples), 19 were XEC (9.1% of all sequenced samples), 18 were JN.1 (8.6% of all sequence samples), 15 were XFG.3 (7.1% of all sequenced samples), 11 were KP.3(5.2% of all sequenced samples), 3 were BA.3 (1.4% of all sequenced samples) and 2 were XFG (1.0% of all sequenced samples) and 1 was XBB.1.5(0.5% of all sequenced samples). Due to small numbers of samples sequenced, the level of confidence in precision of the estimate is low, and the percentages of each variant may change as further results become available. A more detailed COVID-19 Genomics Bulletin containing a further breakdown of sub-lineages is published weekly.

Parent lineages displayed are subject to change based on lineages under monitoring by the UKHSA horizon scanning team.

Figure 2.13: Total number of sequenced variants of COVID-19 by Pangolin lineage, by epidemiological week

Recombinant refers to any recombinant lineage, starting “X”, that does not fall under the parent lineage of a defined variant.

3.1 Consultation rates for influenza/influenza-like-illness (‘flu/ILI’)

The general practice (GP) flu/ILI consultation rate during week 30 was 1.0 per 100,000 population. This is similar to week 29 (1.5 per 100,000 population). Rates are at baseline activity levels (<10.1 per 100,000 population) (Figure 3.1).

The highest rate in week 30 was seen in the 15-44 year old age group (1.6 per 100,000 population) (Figure 3.2).

The highest rate in week 30 was seen in the South Eastern Trust (1.9 per 100,000 population) (Figure 3.3).

Supplementary tables of GP consultation rates are shown at the end of this report.

Figure 3.1: Northern Ireland GP consultation rates for ‘flu/ILI’, 2021/22 – 2024/25

Figure 3.2: GP consultation rates for ‘flu/ILI’, by age group, 2021/22 – 2024/25

Figure 3.3: GP consultation rates for ‘flu/ILI’, by HSCT, 2021/22 – 2024/25

3.2 Consultation rates for acute respiratory infection (ARI)

The GP ARI consultation rate during week 30 was 102.0 per 100,000 population. This is a slight increase compared to week 29 (91.1 per 100,000 population) (Figure 3.4).

The highest rate in week 30 was seen in the 0-4 age group (230.85 per 100,000 population) (Figure 3.5).

The highest rate in week 30 were seen in the Western Trust (148.1 per 100,000 population, respectively) (Figure 3.6).

Supplementary tables of GP consultation rates are shown at the end of this report.

Figure 3.4: Northern Ireland GP consultation rates for ARI, 2021/22 – 2024/25

Figure 3.5: GP consultation rates for ARI, by age group, 2021/22 – 2024/25

Figure 3.6: GP consultation rates for ARI, by HSCT, 2021/22 – 2024/25

3.3 Consultation rates for COVID-19

The GP COVID-19 consultation rate during week 30 was 2.3 per 100,000 population. This is similar to week 29 (1.8 per 100,000 population) (Figure 3.7).

The highest rate in week 30 was seen in the 75+ age group (5.9 per 100,000 population) (Figure 3.8).

The highest rate in week 30 were seen in the Southern Trust (3.1 per 100,000 population, respectively) (Figure 3.9).

Supplementary tables of GP consultation rates are shown at the end of this report.

Figure 3.7: Northern Ireland GP consultation rates for COVID-19, 2021/22 – 2024/25

Figure 3.8: GP consultation rates for COVID-19, by age group, 2021/22 – 2024/25

Figure 3.9: GP consultation rates for COVID-19, by HSCT, 2021/22 – 2024/25

4.1 Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 care homes outbreaks

There were no outbreaks reported in a care home setting in week 30. This is decrease compared week 29 (two COVID-19 outbreaks reported) (Figure 4.1).

Figure 4.1: Weekly number of confirmed influenza, RSV and COVID-19 outbreaks, by year and epidemiological week

5.1 Admissions and occupancy

There were 52 new community-acquired emergency hospital admissions during week 30 (Figure 5.1). This is an increase compared to week 29 (41 admissions). Of the 52 new admissions, three were Flu A and 49 were COVID-19.

The 75+ age group had the majority of community acquired emergency COVID-19 hospital admissions in week 30

A supplementary table of community-acquired emergency hospital admissions is shown at the end of this report.

Community-acquired emergency influenza, RSV and COVID-19 inpatients have remained stable (Figure 5.2).

Figure 5.1: Weekly number of community-acquired emergency influenza, RSV and COVID-19 hospital admissions, by year and epidemiological week

Figure 5.2: Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 community acquired emergency inpatients, by day

6.1 Deaths related to influenza and/or pneumonia

NISRA death statistics are published weekly. From week ending 31 January 2025 these statistics now include a count of deaths related to influenza and/or pneumonia.

The statistics report on deaths where influenza and/or pneumonia was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate. As a result, the counts will reflect deaths where influenza or pneumonia has contributed to a death but was not necessarily the underlying cause of the death.

The latest data is available from week ending 18 July 2025. In week 29, 52 influenza and/or pneumonia related deaths out of 296 deaths were reported (17.6%). This is similar to the previous week with 60 influenza and/or pneumonia related deaths out of 342 deaths (17.5%) (Figure 6.1).

Figure 6.1: Weekly deaths and percentage of registered deaths related to influenza and/or pneumonia, to most recent registration week

6.2 Deaths related to COVID-19

NISRA death statistics report on deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate. As a result, the counts will reflect deaths where COVID-19 has contributed to a death but was not necessarily the underlying cause of the death.

The latest data is available from the week ending 18 July 2025. In week 29, there were four COVID-19 related death out of 296 deaths reported (1.4%). This is similar to the previous week with six COVID-19 related deaths out of 342 deaths (1.8%). (Figure 6.2).

Figure 6.2: Weekly deaths and percentage of registered deaths related to COVID-19, to most recent registration week

6.3 Excess Mortality

NISRA use the UK-wide methodology to report on excess deaths as advised by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

EuroMOMO is a European mortality monitoring activity, aiming to detect and measure excess deaths related to seasonal influenza, pandemics and other public health threats. Reports on excess deaths across Europe and the United Kingdom are published weekly.

8.1 Presentation of data

Unless otherwise stated, data are presented using epidemiological weeks (a standardised method of counting weeks [Monday-Sunday] to allow for the comparison of data year after year). This is dependent on the data available. The data included in this report are the most up to date data available at the time of the report; however, this is subject to change as the data are subject to ongoing quality assurance.

8.2 Virology surveillance

All virology data provided here are preliminary. Virology data for prior weeks, as included in this or future reports, are subject to updates based on laboratory returns received after the last report was produced. The current report offers the most current information available.

Rates per 100,000 population are calculated using the NISRA 2021 Mid-Year Population Estimates.

8.3 SARS-CoV-2 genomics

A subset of SARS-CoV-2 positive PCR samples are sent to sequencing laboratories in Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Queen’s University Belfast for sequencing. On 29th November the lineage assignment algorithm was switched from PangoLEARN to UShER for lineage counts. PangoLEARN uses a machine learning algorithm, whereas UShER uses phylogenetic placement and produces fewer unassigned lineages. This switch has been applied retrospectively, therefore total counts for all lineages have been affected. A more detailed COVID-19 Genomics Bulletin containing a further breakdown of sub-lineages is published weekly.

8.4 Primary care surveillance

Consultation rates for influenza/influenza-like-illness (‘flu/ILI’), acute respiratory infection (ARI) and COVID-19

GP in-hours consultation data with ~95% coverage of the NI population is auto-extracted weekly from GPIP. This data includes weekly aggregate consultations for ‘flu/ILI’, ARI, and COVID-19, and includes weekly registered patients. The data is available for different Health and Social Care Trusts, and by age and sex.

8.5 Community surveillance

Care home outbreaks

PHA conducts surveillance of outbreaks across multiple settings, including care homes (nursing homes and residential homes) in NI that are registered with the Regulation and Quality Improvement Agency. All care homes have a requirement to notify the PHA Health Protection duty room of suspected outbreaks of any infectious disease. A confirmed outbreak of influenza or RSV can be defined as where there are two or more confirmed cases with onset within a 14 day period, where transmission within the Care Home facility is considered the likely cause.

8.6 Secondary care surveillance

Admissions and occupancy

It is not currently possible for this report to distinguish emergency from other types of admission for each Trusts hospital data following the introduction of a new electronic healthcare record. This was introduced in the SEHSCT on 06/11/2023; BHSCT on 06/06/2024, NHSCT on 07/11/2024, and WHSCT and SHSCT on 28/04/2025. For this report, all community-acquired admissions are included from the respective dates above for each Trust, which will include non-emergency admissions (which are a small minority of the total admissions reported). Only admissions where the method of admission was ‘Emergency’ are counted before these dates for each Trust. Work is ongoing to adapt systems to new data sources and re-instate differentiation of emergency admissions. Ongoing developmental and quality assurance work may result in adjustments to figures.

Influenza and RSV

Community-acquired influenza and RSV emergency admissions to acute hospitals are estimated by combining data from PAS and virological reports in NIHAP. Admissions are counted where there was a positive test up to seven days before admission or up to one day after admission, and the method of admission was ‘Emergency’. The number of inpatients is counted at midnight. Admissions and occupancy refer to the first admission per infection episode.

COVID-19

Community-acquired COVID-19 emergency admissions are estimated by combining data from the NI COVID-19 Combined Testing Register and hospital admission information. Admissions are counted where there was a positive PCR or lateral flow test up to 14 days before admission or up to one day after admission. The number of inpatients is counted at midnight. Admissions and occupancy refer to the first admission per infection episode, including transfers between hospitals. The method used in this report is different to that previously reported by the Department of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard, which used administrative coding to identify COVID-19 admissions.

8.7 Mortality surveillance

NISRA death statistics are published weekly, and include weekly counts of deaths related to influenza and/or pneumonia (new from 31 January 2025), and deaths related to COVID-19. This enables comparisons with weekly information published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) covering England and Wales.

The statistics report on deaths where influenza and/or pneumonia, or COVID-19, was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate. As a result, the counts will reflect deaths where these diseases have contributed to a death but was not necessarily the underlying cause of the death.

9.1 Unique episodes of influenza, RSV and COVID-19, by epidemiological week, over a six week period

9.2 Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 episode rates per 100,000 population, by age group, over a six week period

9.3 Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 episode rates per 100,000 population, by local government district, over a six week period

9.4 Total tests and positivity for influenza, RSV and COVID-19, by epidemiological week, over a six week period

9.5 Unique episodes of influenza, by subtype, over a six week period

9.6 Total sentinel tests and positivity for influenza, RSV and COVID-19, by epidemiological week, over a six week period

9.7 Total non-sentinel tests and positivity for influenza, RSV and COVID-19, by epidemiological week, over a six week period

9.8 Number of sequenced samples for variants in Northern Ireland

This table only shows counts for lineages with 10 or more sequenced samples from epidemiological year-week 2024 - 30 onwards. Lineage counts include provisional and confirmed sequencing samples. Lineage calls are subject to change following analysis of genomic sequence results, which may result in fluctuations in lineage counts.

9.9 Flu/ILI consultation rates per 100,000 population, by age group, over a six week period

9.10 Flu/ILI consultation rates per 100,000 population, by Health and Social Care Trust, over a six week period

9.11 ARI consultation rates per 100,000 population, by age group, over a six week period

9.12 ARI consultation rates per 100,000 population, by Health and Social Care Trust, over a six week period

9.13 COVID-19 consultation rates per 100,000 population, by age group, over a six week period

9.14 COVID-19 consultation rates per 100,000 population, by Health and Social Care Trust, over a six week period

9.15 Number of community-acquired emergency hospital admissions, over a six week period