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Influenza percentage of positive PCR tests in a 7 day period

Last updated on Monday, 1 July 2024 at 10:26am

Summary

Topic
Influenza
Category
testing
API name
influenza_testing_positivityByWeek

Rationale

Seasonal influenza occurs every year and is a key driver for winter pressure on the NHS. The impact of influenza on the NHS depends on several factors:

  • which strains of the virus are circulating and who is most likely to be affected
  • how effective the annual vaccine is
  • how many people are immunised
  • winter temperatures

Testing is required to identify cases of influenza.

Definition

This metric shows the percentage of the total number of PCR tests for influenza taken in the 7 days up to and including the date shown which had a positive result. Data is shown by the date that the test was taken (specimen date).

Methodology

Testing for influenza is performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which require processing in a laboratory

Updates from SARI Watch are published in the UKHSA National Influenza and COVID-19 Surveillance Report on a Friday (weekly during influenza season and fortnightly in the summer months) and contains data up to the previous Sunday.

Weekly positivity is calculated as the count of number of PCR tests taken in the last 7 days up to and including the date shown which had a positive result, divided by the total number of positive or negative PCR tests taken in the last 7 days up to and including the date shown.

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