2.1 Episodes of COVID-19

Infection episodes detected through clinical testing reveal only a small fraction of the true number of cases, because only a minority of people who have COVID-19 disease are tested. We continue to monitor these because an increase may indicate increasing incidence or severity.

The number of new episodes is shown by week overall (Figure 2.1), as a rate per 100,000 population by age band over time (Figure 2.2), as a rate per 100,000 population by local government district (LGD) for the most recent week in bar plot (Figure 2.3) and over a six week period (Figure 2.4). Supplementary tables of key figures are shown at the end of this document. There has been a decrease in the number of new episodes in the current week, with 165 episodes identified in week 36 compared to 181 in the previous week. All age groups saw an increase in episode rates when compared to the previous week, except the 20-29, 50-59, 60-69 and 80+ year old age groups, which saw a decrease in episode rates. The highest episode rates per 100,000 population remain in the 80+ year-olds (41.5 per 100,000 population). Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ards and North Down, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon and Causeway Coast and Glens all saw an increase in episode rates compared to the previous week, all other LGDs saw a decrease in episode rates.

Testing policy changes over time in NI will have an impact on the proportion of COVID-19 cases detected and may affect case rates and other indicators presented in this report. Since 2022, testing of most of the general population with COVID-19 symptoms has no longer been advised. This reduced volume of testing is consistent with the rest of the UK.

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