Report monitoring respiratory viruses for the 2026/27 season.
This weekly bulletin brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for flu, COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus ( RSV ) and other viruses.
As expected with the school half-term ‘firebreak’ last week, flu cases have remained at low levels, with a small increase in people being hospitalised. We have seen RSV levels continue to increase particularly among young children aged under 5 years, while COVID-19 levels have decreased further.
With schools now back, we do expect to see Flu and RSV increasing in the coming weeks. If you’re eligible for a free NHS vaccine don’t miss out and regret it later. Every year thousands of unvaccinated vulnerable people end up severely ill in hospital, some in intensive care. While it may not completely stop you getting flu, a vaccine will help reduce the severity of the disease – and could save your life.
The flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report and the national norovirus and rotavirus surveillance reports: 2026 to 2027 season are published weekly. For more detailed data on surveillance indicators for the 3 major respiratory viruses see below.
Overall, norovirus laboratory reports between weeks 43 and 44 of 2026 (19 October 2026 to 1 November 2026) were 17.4% lower than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period.