Flu, COVID-19 and RSV: what's circulating
The share of tests coming back positive for the three main winter viruses in England, from UKHSA's weekly figures, against a month ago and this time last year. It shows which way things are heading; the NHS advice on vaccines and symptoms is below.
Source data 9 November 2026 · last checked 13 November 2026, 06:22 · UKHSA data dashboard
Source: UKHSA data dashboard · Open Government Licence v3.0. England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland publish their own figures.
| This year | Same weeks last year | |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 2 Nov | 7.8% | — |
| Mon 26 Oct | 7.5% | — |
| Mon 19 Oct | 6.4% | — |
| Mon 12 Oct | 5.8% | — |
| Mon 5 Oct | 6.4% | — |
| Mon 28 Sept | 5.8% | — |
| Mon 21 Sept | 5.4% | — |
See all 13 weeks
| This year | Same weeks last year | |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 14 Sept | 4.5% | — |
| Mon 7 Sept | 3.4% | — |
| Mon 31 Aug | 2.5% | — |
| Mon 24 Aug | 2.4% | — |
| Mon 17 Aug | 2.2% | — |
| Mon 10 Aug | 1.6% | — |
| This year | Same weeks last year | |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 9 Nov | 7.6% | — |
| Mon 2 Nov | 7.6% | — |
| Mon 26 Oct | 8.2% | — |
| Mon 19 Oct | 9.1% | — |
| Mon 12 Oct | 9.3% | — |
| Mon 5 Oct | 9.4% | — |
| Mon 28 Sept | 8.8% | — |
See all 13 weeks
| This year | Same weeks last year | |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 21 Sept | 7.5% | — |
| Mon 14 Sept | 6.4% | — |
| Mon 7 Sept | 5.0% | — |
| Mon 31 Aug | 3.7% | — |
| Mon 24 Aug | 3.0% | — |
| Mon 17 Aug | 2.6% | — |
Hospital admissions
- Flu. Hospital admissions: 3.65 per 100,000 people a week, as of 2 November; this time last year, 4.04.
- COVID-19. Hospital admissions: 201.71 a day (7-day average), as of 31 October; this time last year, 173.86.
- RSV. Hospital admissions: 1.3 per 100,000 people a week, as of 2 November; this time last year, 1.26.
Test positivity is the share of tests that came back positive, mostly from people tested in hospitals and GP surgeries with symptoms. It tells you whether a virus is spreading more or less than before, not how many people have it. A rise in autumn is normal: these are winter viruses. The useful response is the NHS's, below, not buying anything.
What the NHS advises
Vaccines
Most people who are eligible can get the free flu vaccine from 1 October 2026, and anyone pregnant from 1 September. You're eligible if you're 65 or over (including anyone who'll be 65 by 31 March 2027), pregnant, or have certain health conditions, among other groups. If you're eligible for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can book online or in the NHS App. NHS: flu vaccine · NHS: COVID-19 vaccine
If you're ill
Rest and sleep, drink plenty of water, and take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower a temperature and ease aches (not paracetamol alongside flu remedies that also contain it). Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature, feel hot, cold or shivery, or don't feel well enough for your normal activities. NHS: flu
Common questions
Is flu going around at the moment?
In England, 7.8% of flu tests were positive in the week of 2 November, against 6.4% four weeks earlier and 12.7% at the same point last year. Test positivity is the share of tests that come back positive, so it shows the direction of travel rather than how many people have flu.
Are COVID cases going up?
In England, 7.6% of COVID-19 tests were positive (7-day average to 9 November), against 9.3% four weeks earlier. At the same point last year it was 4.0%. UKHSA's figures come from people tested in hospitals and other settings, not the whole population.
When can I get the flu vaccine?
The NHS says most people who are eligible can get the free flu vaccine from 1 October 2026, and anyone pregnant from 1 September 2026. You're eligible if, among other reasons, you're 65 or over (including anyone who will be 65 by 31 March 2027), pregnant, or have certain health conditions. The NHS website has the full list and how to book.
What should I do if I have flu symptoms?
The NHS advice: rest and sleep, drink plenty of water, and take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains (but not paracetamol alongside flu remedies that also contain it). Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature, feel hot, cold or shivery, or don't feel well enough for your normal activities.
Winter, one calm email a week
Our Sunday briefing: what moved in the data that week, in plain English, and what's worth doing about it.
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For a web pageSource: <a href="https://www.preparedbritain.co.uk/trackers/flu-covid">PreparedBritain flu, COVID-19 and RSV tracker</a>Source: PreparedBritain flu, COVID-19 and RSV tracker, https://www.preparedbritain.co.uk/trackers/flu-covidThe page names the official source behind each figure. Need a chart or a breakdown? hello@preparedbritain.co.uk
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