What Does the Latest UKHSA Report Say?

The UKHSA publishes regular surveillance reports to monitor influenza, COVID-19, RSV and other seasonal respiratory viruses. These reports bring together information from laboratories, GP practices, hospitals, emergency departments and community surveillance systems.

The report published on 8 October covers data collected up to 4 October 2026. Its findings show an increase in flu activity and an increase in several COVID-19 indicators. However, the agency describes overall flu activity as being at baseline levels and COVID-19 activity as low.

These distinctions are important. A rise in an individual indicator does not automatically mean that the country is experiencing a severe outbreak. The figures should be considered alongside hospital admissions, community testing, emergency department attendance and other measures of respiratory virus activity.

UK Influenza Update: Flu Activity Is Increasing

According to the latest surveillance report, influenza activity increased during week 40. The rolling seven-day influenza test positivity rate reached 6.5% up to Sunday, 4 October, compared with 5.0% on the previous Sunday.

GP surveillance also recorded an increase in influenza positivity. Among tested samples in week 40, 10.0% were positive for influenza, compared with 7.6% in the previous week.

Emergency department attendances for influenza-like illness increased and were above seasonally expected levels. Nevertheless, UKHSA classified overall influenza activity as being at baseline levels. The hospital admission figures come from an expanded surveillance system introduced as a pilot for the 2026 to 2027 season, so comparisons with earlier weeks require caution.

COVID-19 Update October 2026: Hospital Admissions Rise

The latest UKHSA report indicates that COVID-19 activity increased across some surveillance indicators. Emergency department attendances for COVID-19-like illness increased, and the number of reported COVID-19-related acute respiratory infection incidents also rose compared with the previous week.

The weekly COVID-19 hospital admission rate increased to 2.04 per 100,000, up from 1.75 per 100,000 in the previous week.

The figures show why different indicators need to be interpreted separately. Hospital-setting PCR positivity and hospital admissions increased, while GP swabbing positivity remained broadly stable. UKHSA continues to classify overall COVID-19 activity as low, with the hospital admission rate remaining within the reports baseline impact range.

Which Age Groups Are Most Affected?

The latest report includes age-specific findings for influenza and COVID-19. These help identify where positive test results are more common, although positivity rates do not represent the total number of infections in the population.

Influenza

Influenza A positivity was highest among people aged 18 to 24 years, at 28.1% in the rolling seven-day period ending 4 October. This was up from 24.4% on the previous Sunday. Influenza B positivity was highest among children aged 5 to 11 years, at 1.5%, slightly below the previous figure of 1.6%.

COVID-19

Among people aged 85 and over, hospital-setting COVID-19 PCR positivity reached 13.1% in the rolling seven-day period ending 4 October, compared with 10.4% in the previous period. This is a surveillance finding and should not be interpreted as an individuals personal risk of severe illness.

RSV Update: Activity Remains Low

Respiratory syncytial virus, commonly known as RSV, can cause respiratory illness and is particularly relevant to infants and young children. UKHSA reported that RSV activity remained low and at baseline levels during the latest reporting period.

The different indicators moved in different directions, but the overall assessment remained that RSV activity was low. Parents and carers should seek advice from NHS services if a child has concerning symptoms or breathing difficulties.

Autumn 2026 Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination Update

The report provides the first influenza vaccine uptake figures for the 2026 to 2027 season. Compared with the equivalent week in the previous season, reported flu vaccine uptake was lower among people aged 65 and over, people aged six months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups, and children aged two and three years. Uptake among pregnant women was comparable.

UKHSA cautions that some pharmacy vaccination data were unavailable or incomplete when the report was prepared. These initial findings may therefore change as more data become available.

For autumn 2026 COVID-19 vaccination, by the end of week 40, 10.2% of people aged 75 and over and 4.1% of people under 75 with a weakened immune system had received an autumn dose since 1 October 2026.

Eligibility and availability depend on the current NHS vaccination programme. People should check the official NHS guidance or contact their GP or participating pharmacy to find out whether they are eligible and how to arrange vaccination.

What Should People in England Do Now?

The surveillance report provides information about population-level trends; it does not mean that every person is at high risk. People can take practical steps to reduce the spread of respiratory infections and obtain appropriate care when needed.

1. Check NHS guidance on flu and COVID-19 symptoms, vaccination eligibility and treatment.
2. If you are eligible for a seasonal vaccine, check how to book it through the NHS.
3. Stay at home where possible if you feel unwell and have a high temperature, and avoid close contact with people at higher risk until you feel better.
4. Cover coughs and sneezes, dispose of tissues promptly and wash your hands regularly.
5. Seek advice from NHS 111 or a healthcare professional if you are concerned about symptoms.
6. Call 999 or attend emergency care for a life-threatening emergency, such as severe difficulty breathing.

This is general public-health information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice.

Are Flu and COVID-19 Activity at Epidemic Levels?

The 8 October report states that influenza activity is increasing but remains at baseline levels. COVID-19 activity has increased across some indicators but is circulating at low levels overall. RSV also remains at baseline levels.

The report uses surveillance thresholds and several different measures to assess activity. A change in test positivity or hospital admissions should not automatically be described as a national epidemic. Readers should rely on the full UKHSA assessment rather than interpreting a single statistic in isolation.

Important Limitations of the Latest Figures

The most recent surveillance data can be revised as additional results become available. UKHSA also notes a data-quality issue affecting historical influenza positivity estimates in reports published from week 25 of 2026 onwards.

In addition, the expanded influenza hospitalisation surveillance system is operating as a pilot for the 2026 to 2027 season. Its latest figures do not provide a directly comparable previous-week rate for the start of this series.

The report applies to England. It should not automatically be treated as a complete account of current conditions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which have their own public-health reporting arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Sources and Further Information

Bottom Line

The UKHSA surveillance report published on 8 October 2026 shows that influenza activity increased during the latest reporting week and COVID-19 activity rose across several indicators. RSV activity remained low and at baseline levels.

These findings highlight the importance of monitoring seasonal respiratory viruses as autumn progresses. People should check current NHS advice on symptoms and vaccination eligibility, while using the official UKHSA reports for verified statistics and future updates.