COVID-19 Hospital Admissions Rise Nearly 50% in England as UKHSA Reports Increased Activity

COVID-19 Hospital Admissions Rise Nearly 50% in England as UKHSA Reports Increased Activity

By Paris Telegraph England Correspondent

LONDON — COVID-19 hospital admissions in England increased by almost 50% in the latest weekly surveillance period, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), as the agency reported that COVID-19 activity was rising, although overall levels remained low.

The latest UKHSA national flu and COVID-19 surveillance report, published on 24 September, covers data for the week ending 20 September 2026. It records an overall COVID-19 hospital admission rate of 1.20 per 100,000 people, up from 0.81 per 100,000 in the previous week. That represents an increase of approximately 48%. (GOV.UK⁠)

UKHSA said COVID-19 activity was increasing but circulating at low levels. The agency classified the overall hospital admission level as being at the baseline level rather than at an elevated epidemic level. (GOV.UK⁠)

Increase recorded across hospital surveillance

The hospitalisation figures come from mandatory surveillance covering acute NHS trusts in England. For week 38, UKHSA’s figures were based on data from 93 NHS trusts.

The agency reported that the COVID-19 admission rate increased from 0.81 to 1.20 per 100,000.

The highest regional rate was recorded in London, where the rate rose to 1.70 per 100,000, compared with 0.95 in the previous week. (GOV.UK⁠)

Older people recorded substantially higher admission rates than the general population.

Among people aged 85 and over, the COVID-19 hospital admission rate increased from 7.08 to 12.43 per 100,000 during the same weekly period. (GOV.UK⁠)

COVID-19 activity also increasing in hospitals

Other surveillance indicators also pointed to increased COVID-19 activity.

UKHSA reported that the rolling seven-day COVID-19 PCR positivity rate in hospital settings reached 7.0%, compared with 5.9% the previous week.

Among samples tested through the Respiratory DataMart surveillance system, SARS-CoV-2 positivity increased from 4.1% to 4.9% during week 38. The highest positivity in that dataset was recorded among people aged 65 to 79, at 5.6%. (GOV.UK⁠)

At the same time, UKHSA reported that GP swabbing positivity remained relatively stable and low, with 7.9% of tested samples positive for SARS-CoV-2, compared with 7.5% the previous week. (GOV.UK⁠)

What the 48% increase does — and does not — mean

The increase in hospital admission rates does not mean that COVID-19 infections increased by 48%.

The figure measures the rate at which people were admitted to hospital with COVID-19 during the surveillance period. Hospital admissions can be influenced by several factors, including the age and vulnerability of those infected, healthcare-seeking behaviour and reporting patterns.

The latest UKHSA report specifically describes COVID-19 as circulating at low levels, despite the recent increase in several surveillance indicators. (GOV.UK⁠)

The hospitalisation data are also provisional and subject to retrospective updates, meaning figures can be revised as additional information becomes available. (GOV.UK⁠)

England figures, not the whole UK

An important distinction is that the latest UKHSA surveillance report applies to England.

It should therefore not be presented as evidence that hospital admissions increased by the same percentage across the entire United Kingdom. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own health surveillance systems and reporting arrangements. (GOV.UK⁠)

Respiratory illnesses being monitored

COVID-19 is not the only respiratory illness being monitored as autumn progresses.

UKHSA also reported an increase in influenza activity, although influenza remained at baseline levels. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity remained low and at baseline levels.

The agency also recorded increases in several other respiratory viruses, including rhinovirus, parainfluenza and human metapneumovirus, although their overall activity levels varied. (GOV.UK⁠)

Public health monitoring continues

The latest figures come as health authorities continue monitoring respiratory viruses ahead of the colder months, when respiratory infections typically receive increased attention.

For the moment, the UKHSA data show a measurable increase in COVID-19 hospital admissions in England, but the agency continues to describe overall COVID-19 activity as low.

The figures underline the importance of following official health surveillance rather than interpreting a single week’s change as evidence of a nationwide surge in infections.

Paris Telegraph will continue to monitor UK health surveillance data and report significant developments as new official figures are released.

By Paris Telegraph England Correspondent Azeez Nasar