2.1 Episodes of influenza, RSV and COVID-19

The number of new influenza episodes remained stable in week 26, with six unique episodes reported. There were five episodes reported in week 25 (Figure 2.1).

There were seven new RSV episodes reported in week 26, which is a slight increase from week 25 when four episodes were reported (Figure 2.1).

The number of new COVID-19 episodes decreased slightly in week 26, with two unique episodes reported. There were four episodes reported in week 25 (Figure 2.1).

Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 episode rates by age groups are shown in (Figure 2.2).

Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 episode rates across local government districts (LGD) are shown in (Figure 2.3).

A supplementary table of unique episodes is 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 and epidemiological week

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

2.2 Testing and positivity (%)

In week 26, 1,254 influenza tests were conducted, of which six were positive (0.5% positivity). This is similar to week 25 (0.5% positivity) (Figure 2.4).

A total of 858 RSV tests were carried out, with seven positive results (0.8% positivity). This is a slight increase from week 25 (0.5% positivity) (Figure 2.4).

There were 1,253 COVID-19 tests, two of which were positive (0.2% positivity). This is a slight decrease from week 25 (0.4% positivity) (Figure 2.4).

Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 positivity by age groups are shown in Figure 2.5).

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

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

Shading represents 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 2.5: Weekly positivity for influenza, RSV and COVID-19, by age group and epidemiological week

Shading represents 95% confidence intervals.

In week 26 there were 397 rhinovirus tests, 55 of which were positive (13.8% positivity). This is a slight decrease from week 25 (14.3% positivity) (Figure 2.6).

There were 397 adenovirus tests, 16 of which were positive (4.0% positivity). This is an increase from week 25 (2.6% positivity) (Figure 2.6).

There were 397 parainfluenza tests, 15 of which were positive (3.8% positivity). This is similar to week 25 (3.6% positivity) (Figure 2.6).

There were 397 human metapneumovirus (hMPV) tests, six of which were positive (1.5% positivity). This is similar to week 25 (1.3% positivity) (Figure 2.6).

Figure 2.6: Weekly positivity for rhinovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza and Human metapneumovirus, by year and epidemiological week

Shading represents 95% confidence intervals.

2.3 Influenza sub-typing

Of the six new influenza episodes identified in week 26, one was influenza A (H3) and five were influenza B (Figure 2.7).

Figure 2.7: 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 (~15% population representative) to provide information about virus activity across Northern Ireland.

In week 26, no samples were 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 2.8, Figure 2.9 and Figure 2.10, and cumulatively for the 2025/26 influenza season in Table 2.

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

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

Figure 2.9: Weekly sentinel RSV cases, by age group and epidemiological week

Figure 2.10: Weekly sentinel COVID-19 cases, by age group and 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 Northern Ireland.

In week 26, six samples were positive for influenza from 1,254 samples submitted for testing to laboratories across Northern Ireland (0.5% positivity). Of these, one was influenza A (H3) and five were influenza B. Seven samples were positive for RSV from 858 samples submitted for testing (0.8% positivity). Two samples were positive for COVID-19 from 1,253 samples submitted for testing (0.2% positivity) (Table 3).

Total non-sentinel cases of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 by age group for the previous year are shown in Figure 2.8, Figure 2.9 and Figure 2.13, and cumulatively for the 2025/26 influenza season in Table 4.

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

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

Figure 2.12: Weekly non-sentinel RSV cases, by age group and epidemiological week

Figure 2.13: Weekly non-sentinel COVID-19 cases, by age group and epidemiological week

2.6 SARS-CoV-2 variants

In the 8 weeks 02 March 2026 to 26 April 2026, 21 COVID-19 samples were sequenced. Of these, 11 were BA.3.2 (52.4% of all sequenced samples), 5 were XFG (23.8% of all sequenced samples), 2 were BA.3 (9.5% of all sequenced samples) and 1 sample each was JN.1 and NB.1.8.1 (both 4.8% 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 2.14: 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 26 was 1.2 per 100,000 population. This is a decrease from week 25 (2.4 per 100,000 population). Rates are at baseline activity levels (<10.7 per 100,000 population) (Figure 3.1).

GP flu/ILI consultation rates by age groups are shown in Figure 3.2.

GP flu/ILI consultation rates by Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT) are shown in Figure 3.3.

A supplementary table 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

The baseline MEM threshold for Northern Ireland is <10.7 per 100,000 population for 2025/26. Low activity is 10.7 to <25.8, moderate activity 25.8 to <55.2, high activity 55.2 to <77.1 and very high activity is >77.1 per 100,000 population.

Figure 3.2: GP consultation rates for ‘flu/ILI’, by age group, 2022/23 – 2025/26

Figure 3.3: GP consultation rates for ‘flu/ILI’, by HSCT, 2022/23 – 2025/26

3.2 Consultation rates for acute respiratory infection (ARI)

The GP ARI consultation rate during week 26 was 134.0 per 100,000 population. This is a decrease from week 25 (147.4 per 100,000 population) (Figure 3.4).

GP ARI consultation rates by age groups are shown in Figure 3.5.

GP ARI consultation rates by HSCT are shown in Figure 3.6.

A supplementary table of GP consultation rates are shown at the end of this report.

Figure 3.4: Northern Ireland GP consultation rates for ARI, 2022/23 – 2025/26

Figure 3.5: GP consultation rates for ARI, by age group, 2022/23 – 2025/26

Figure 3.6: GP consultation rates for ARI, by HSCT, 2022/23 – 2025/26

3.3 Consultation rates for COVID-19

The GP COVID-19 consultation rate during week 26 was 0.2 per 100,000 population. This is similar to week 25 (0.1 per 100,000 population) (Figure 3.7).

GP COVID-19 consultation rates by age groups are shown in Figure 3.8.

GP COVID-19 consultation rates by HSCT are shown in Figure 3.9.

A supplementary table of GP consultation rates are shown at the end of this report.

Figure 3.7: Northern Ireland GP consultation rates for COVID-19, 2022/23 – 2025/26

Figure 3.8: GP consultation rates for COVID-19, by age group, 2022/23 – 2025/26

Figure 3.9: GP consultation rates for COVID-19, by HSCT, 2022/23 – 2025/26

4.1 Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 care homes outbreaks

There were no confirmed outbreaks reported in care home settings to the Public Health Agency (PHA) Health Protection Acute Response Duty Room in week 26. There were no confirmed outbreaks reported in week 25 (Figure 4.1).

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

5.1 Admissions and occupancy

There were six new community-acquired emergency hospital admissions during week 26 (Figure 5.1). Of these, one was influenza A, four were RSV and one was COVID-19. In week 25 there were five hospital admissions. Of these, two were influenza B, two were RSV and one was COVID-19.

Community-acquired emergency hospital admission rates by age groups are shown in Figure 5.2.

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

Figure 5.2: Weekly community-acquired emergency influenza, RSV and COVID-19 hospital admission rates per 100,000 population, by age group and epidemiological week

Community-acquired emergency inpatients for influenza, RSV and COVID-19 remained low and stable (Figure 5.3). Community-acquired emergency inpatients by age group for the previous year are shown in Figure 5.4.

Figure 5.3: Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 community acquired emergency inpatients, by day

Figure 5.4: Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 community acquired emergency inpatients, by age group and day

6.1 Deaths related to influenza and/or pneumonia

NISRA death statistics are published weekly. These 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 for week ending 19 June 2026. In week 25, there were 37 influenza and/or pneumonia related deaths among the 301 deaths reported (12.3%). This is lower than the previous week (14.3%) (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 for the week ending 19 June 2026. In week 25, there were no COVID-19 related death among the 301 deaths reported. This is similar to the previous week when no COVID-19 deaths were reported (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. During the current 2025/26 season, excess mortality has been reported in weeks 01 and 03, 2026. 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 report offers the most up-to-date information available.

Rates per 100,000 population are calculated using the NISRA 2024 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 2022 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 Northern Ireland population is auto-extracted weekly from the General Practitioner Intelligence Platform (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 Northern Ireland that are registered with the Regulation and Quality Improvement Agency (RQIA). 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, RSV or COVID-19 is 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

Influenza and RSV

Community-acquired influenza and RSV emergency admissions to acute hospitals are estimated by combining data from the Patient Administration System (PAS), EPIC and virological reports in the Northern Ireland Health Analytics Platform (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 to acute hospitals are estimated by combining data from the PAS, EPIC and virological reports in NIHAP. 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., 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. 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 Total tests and positivity for influenza, RSV and COVID-19, by epidemiological week, over a six week period

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

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

9.5 Number of sequenced samples for variants in Northern Ireland

This table only shows counts for lineages from 2025 - 26 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.

9.6 GP flu/ILI, ARI and COVID-19 consultation rates per 100,000 population, by epidemiological week, over a six week period