Update on the Latest “Flu” data

The data paints a very different picture from the screaming headlines.

The latest headlines suggest we’re heading for a doomsday scenario: The “NHS ‘facing worst-case,” says the Guardian. “Super flu strikes during perfect storm,” headlines, Sky. A ‘tidal wave’ says the Independent, and health chiefs warned there’s ‘still no flu peak in sight’ reports the Mail.

Putting aside the media drivel, what do the data say?

The surveillance data up to the 7th December paints a very different picture.

While many headlines are screaming that the “flu” has come early, comparisons with the last two years indicate that it is within the range of previous years if you go back a little.

Looking at the data by age shows that the 5- to 14-year-old age group is the only one with positivity above the five-year average.