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 21 September 2026 · last checked 25 September 2026, 12:54 · UKHSA data dashboard
Source: UKHSA data dashboard · Open Government Licence v3.0. England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland publish their own figures.
Hospital admissions
- Flu. UKHSA publishes flu hospital admission rates through the winter season. The latest, for the week of 20 April 2026, was 0.22 per 100,000 people.
- COVID-19. Hospital admissions: 37.29 a day (7-day average), as of 31 August; this time last year, 170.29.
- RSV. UKHSA publishes rsv hospital admission rates through the winter season. The latest, for the week of 30 March 2026, was 0.3 per 100,000 people.
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, 3.7% of flu tests were positive in the week of 14 September, against 2.2% four weeks earlier and 1.3% 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, 7.2% of COVID-19 tests were positive (7-day average to 21 September), against 2.9% four weeks earlier. At the same point last year it was 12.0%. 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.
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