2.1 Episodes of influenza, RSV and COVID-19

The number of new influenza episodes increased in week 15, with 82 unique episodes identified. There were 77 episodes reported in week 14. The number of new RSV episodes decreased in week 15, with four unique episodes identified. There were seven episodes reported in week 14 (Figure 2.1).

Influenza and RSV episode rates by age groups are shown in (Figure 2.2). The highest influenza episode rate in week 15 was in the 0-4 age group (24.8 per 100,000 population). The highest RSV episode rate was also in the 0-4 age group (2.7 per 100,000 population).

Influenza rates across local government districts (LGD) are shown in (Figure 2.3). Belfast had the highest influenza rate in week 15 (6.7 per 100,000 population). The highest RSV rate was in Mid and East Antrim and Lisburn and Castlereagh (0.7 per 100,000 population).

The number of new COVID-19 episodes decreased in week 15, with 23 unique episodes identified compared with 42 in week 14 (Figure 2.1).

COVID-19 episode rates by age groups are shown in (Figure 2.2). The highest COVID-19 episode rate in week 15 was in the 75+ age group (5.9 per 100,000 population).

COVID-19 episode rates across LGD are shown in (Figure 2.3). Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon had the highest COVID-19 episode rate in week 15 (3.2 per 100,000 population).

Supplementary tables of key figures are shown at the end of this bulletin.

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 15 there were 1,456 total influenza tests, 83 of which were positive (5.7% positivity). This is similar to week 14 (5.2% positivity) (Figure 2.4).

There were 837 total RSV tests, four of which were positive (0.5% positivity). This is a slight decrease compared with week 14 (0.9% positivity) (Figure 2.4).

There were 1,447 COVID-19 tests, 30 of which were positive (2.1% positivity). This is a slight decrease compared with week 14 (2.9% positivity) (Figure 2.4).

Supplementary tables of key figures are shown at the end of this bulletin.

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

2.3 Influenza subtyping

Of the 82 new influenza episodes identified in week 15, four were typed as Flu A (H1), five were Flu A (H3), 29 were Flu A (not subtyped) and 44 were Flu B (Figure 2.5).

Figure 2.5: 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 15, one sample was positive for influenza from nine samples submitted for testing (11.1% positivity) to the Regional Virus Laboratory (RVL). This was for Flu B. No samples were positive for RSV from nine samples submitted for testing. There were no positive COVID-19 samples from nine samples submitted for testing. (Table 1).

Total sentinel cases of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 by age group for the previous year are shown in (Figure 2.6), (Figure 2.7) and (Figure 2.8), and cumulatively for the 2024/25 influenza season in Table 2.

Supplementary tables of key figures are shown at the end of this bulletin.

Figure 2.6: Weekly sentinel influenza cases, by age group, by epidemiological week

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

Figure 2.8: 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 15, 82 samples were positive for influenza from 1,447 samples submitted for testing to laboratories across NI (5.7% positivity). Four were typed as Flu A (H1), six were Flu A (H3), 29 were Flu A (not subtyped), and 43 were Flu B. Four samples were positive for RSV from 828 samples submitted for testing (0.5% positivity). 30 samples were positive for COVID-19 from 1,438 samples submitted for testing (2.1% positivity) (Table 3).

Total non-sentinel cases of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 by age group for the previous year are shown in (Figure 2.6), (Figure 2.7) and (Figure 2.11), and cumulatively for the 2024/25 influenza season in Table 4.

Supplementary tables of key figures are shown at the end of this bulletin.

Figure 2.9: Weekly non-sentinel influenza cases, by age group, by epidemiological week

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

Figure 2.11: Weekly non-sentinel COVID-19 cases, by age group, by epidemiological week

2.6 SARS-CoV-2 variants

In the 8 weeks 03 February 2025 to 23 March 2025, 38 COVID-19 samples were sequenced. Of these, 8 were XEC (21.1% of all sequenced samples), 7 were LP.8.1 (18.4% of all sequenced samples), 3 were XEC.2 and KP.3 (both 7.9% of all sequenced samples), 2 were KP (5.3% of all sequenced samples) and 1 was JN.1, XEC.3 and XEC.5 (all 2.6% of 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 2.12: 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/FLI’)

The general practice (GP) flu/FLI consultation rate during week 15 was 4.5 per 100,000 population. This is lower than week 14 (6.4 per 100,000 population). Rates are at baseline activity levels (<10.1 per 100,000 population) (Figure 3.1).

Flu/FLI consultation rates by age groups are shown in Table 5. The highest rate in week 15 was seen in the 15-44 year old age group (5.6 per 100,000 population).

Flu/FLI consultation rates by Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT) are shown in Table 6. The highest rate in week 15 was seen in the Western Trust (5.6 per 100,000 population).

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the offer of uptake of GP consultations has changed. As a result, consultation rates in the most recent period are unlikely to be directly comparable to pre-pandemic and pandemic years.

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

The baseline MEM threshold for Northern Ireland is <10.1 per 100,000 population for 2024-25. Low activity is 10.1 to <20.5, moderate activity 20.5 to <47.4, high activity 47.4 to <68.5 and very high activity is >68.5 per 100,000 population.

3.2 Consultation rates for acute respiratory infection (ARI)

The GP ARI consultation rate during week 15 was 112.4 per 100,000 population. This is a slight increase from week 14 (116.8 per 100,000 population) (Figure 3.2).

ARI consultation rates by age groups are shown in Table 7. The highest rate in week 15 was seen in the 0-4 age group (457.8 per 100,000 population).

ARI consultation rates by HSCT are shown in Table 8. The highest rate in week 15 was seen in the South Eastern Trust (128.2 per 100,000 population).

Figure 3.2: Northern Ireland GP consultation rates for ARI 2021/22 – 2024/25

4.1 Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 care homes outbreaks

There were two COVID-19 related outbreaks reported in a care home setting in week 15. This is an increase from 14 (no 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 45 new community-acquired emergency hospital admissions during week 15 (Figure 5.1). This is a decrease from week 14 (n=54). Of the 45 new admissions, 14 were Flu A, 17 were Flu B, and 14 were COVID-19. There were no RSV admissions during week 15.

The 0-4 age group had the majority of community acquired emergency influenza hospital admissions in week 15 (38.7%). The 75+ age group had the majority of COVID-19 hospital admissions (50.0%).

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 Friday 04 April 2025. In week 14, 57 influenza and/or pneumonia related deaths out of 331 deaths were reported (17.2%). This is an increase from the previous week (48 influenza and/or pneumonia related deaths out of 341 deaths, 14.1%) (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 Friday 04 April 2025. In week 14, there were no COVID-19 related deaths out of 331 deaths reported. This is lower than the previous week (three COVID-19 related deaths out of 354 deaths) (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.

7.1 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.

7.2 Virology surveillance

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

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

7.3 Primary care surveillance

7.4 Community surveillance

7.5 Secondary care surveillance

7.6 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

8.7 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 - 15 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.